40
Had been versified in the form of
several questions,
A world of mystery in a few words.
41
When the messenger read that
epistle, forthwith
The news was noised abroad by many mouths.
42
All the nobles present in that
congregation,
Turned their eyes upon this durvesh.
43
One who was a man well versed in
affairs, 3
And who had heard these mysteries
from me a hundred times,
44
Said to me, " Tell the answers
off straightway,
" That the men of the world may
profit thereby."
45
I replied, " What need ? for
again and again "
Have I set forth these problems
in treatises."
46
" True," said he, " but I hope to
have from you
Answers in rhyme corresponding to these questions."
47
"Wherefore at his solicitation I began
An answer to that epistle in concise terms.
48
Forthwith, in that illustrious
congregation,
I pronounced this discourse without hesitation or repetition.
49
Now, with their wonted favour and
kindness,
They will pardon my shortcomings ;
50
All know that this person in his
whole life
Has never attempted to write
poetry.
51
And though his talents be
competent thereto,
He has rarely had to compose
verse.
52
Though he has composed many works
in prose,
He has never compiled a masnavi in verse.
53
Prosody and rhyme weigh not
mysteries, 4
The pearl of mystery is not held in all vessels.
54
Mystery cannot be compressed into
letters,
The Red Sea is not contained in a jug.
55
Why should I, to whom even words
are lacking,
Why should I take on myself a further burden ?
56
This is not boasting, but it is
by way of compliment
And of apology to the men of heart.
57
I take no reproach to myself for
my poor poetry,
For no poet like 'Attar is born in a hundred centuries.
58
Were there a hundred worlds of
mystery set forth in this wise,
They would be only one grain from 'Attar's shop,
5
59
But all this have I written of my own experience,
And not plagiarized as a demon from angels.
6
60
In short, I delivered the answers
to the questions
Off hand, each to each, neither more nor less.
61
The messenger took the letter
with reverence,
And departed again by the road that he came.
62
Again that noble was instant with
me,
Saying, " Do me yet another favour,
63
" Expound these mysteries which
you have spoken.
" Out of theory bring them into
evidence."
7
64
I did not think it possible for
me at that season
To treat thereof with the unction
8 of ecstasy,
65
For the explanation thereof in
speech is impossible, 9
The master of ecstasy alone knows
what is ecstasy.
66
Nevertheless, according to the
word of the teacher of the faith,
I rejected not the postulant of the faith, 10
67
But to the end that these
mysteries might be explained,
The parrot of my eloquence lifted up his voice.
68
By aid of heavenly grace and
divine blessing
I spoke the whole discourse in a few hours.
69
When my heart craved of heaven a
title for this book,
There came an answer to my heart, " It is our Rose Garden."
70
Since heaven has named it " Rose
Garden,"
May it enlighten the eyes of all souls.
1 717 A.H.=1317 A.D.
2 Amir Hosaini is the person referred to. See Introduction.
3 Lahiji says the name of this person was Shaikh Aminuddin, and the conversation
took place at Tabriz.
4 Prosody can " weigh" heavy and light (or, as we should say, long and short)
syllables, but not Sufi mysteries. L.
5 Fariduddin 'Attar, author of the Mantik tit Tair, &c., was a druggist.
6 Koran, Sura XV. 18. The devils are said to ascend to overhear the tiilk ot
the angels in heaven.
7 From demonstrated knowledge, 'Mm ill yakin, bring them to the stage of
experienced or evidenced knowledge, 'ayn ul yakin. The first is the knowledge
gained by logical demonstration, the second that " spiritually discerned " by
illumination, Sashf. L.
8 Zauk, ' taste,' ' delight,' ' religious exaltation.
9 Compare 1 Corinthians, ii. 14.
10 Alluding to the Hadis, " Reject not questioners."
