I.112. sunta nahi dhun ki khabar
HAVE YOU NOT heard the tune which the Unstruck Music is playing? In the midst of the chamber the harp of joy is gently and sweetly played; and where is the need of going without to hear it?
If you have not drunk of the nectar of that One Love, what boots it though you should purge yourself of all stains?
The Kazi is searching the words of the Koran, and instructing others: but if his heart be not steeped in that love, what does it avail, though he be a teacher of men?
The Yogi dyes his garments with red: but if he knows naught of that colour of love, what does it avail though his garments be tinted?
Kabir says: 'Whether I be in the temple or the balcony, in the camp or in the flower garden, I tell you truly that every moment my Lord is taking His delight in me.'

I KNOW THAT this life, missing its ripeness in love, is not altogether lost.
I know that the flowers that fade in the dawn, the streams that strayed in the desert, are not altogether lost.
I know that whatever lags behind in this life laden with slowness is not altogether lost.
I know that my dreams that are still unfulfilled, and my melodies still unstruck, are clinging to some lute-strings of thine, and they are not altogether lost.

DARK CLOUDS have blotted all lights from above; and we caged
birds cry and ask you: 'My friend, is it the death moment
of creation? Has God withdrawn His blessings from the sky?'
Times were when the sudden breath of April would waft the distant
fragrance of hope into our hearts, and the morning light
would gild the iron bars of our prison with its golden
spell and would bring the gladness of the open world into our cage.
But, see, it is all dark in the hills yonder, and not a thinnest
rift has been made by the scimitar of light cutting through the massive gloom.
Our chains today sit heavy on our feet, and not a flush of glow
is left in the sky with which to build an illusion of joy.
But let not our fear and sorrow pain you, my friend!
Come not to sit at the door of our cage to cry with us.
Your wings are unfettered.
Far away from us you soar beyond all clouds.
And from there send us the message in song:
'The light is shining for ever. The lamp of the sun is not out.'