THIS IS MY delight, thus to wait and watch at the wayside where shadow chases light and the rain comes in the wake of the summer. Messengers, with tidings from unknown skies, greet me and speed along the road. My heart is glad within, and the breath of the passing breeze is sweet. From dawn till dusk I sit here before my door, and I know that of a sudden the happy moment will arrive when I shall see. In the meanwhile I smile and I sing all alone. In the meanwhile the air is filling with the perfume of promise.
WHERE WERE your songs, my bird, when you spent your nights in the nest? Was not all your pleasure stored therein? What makes you lose your heart to the skythe sky that is boundless? Answer While I rested within bounds I was content. But when I soared into vastness I found I could sing. MESSENGER, MORNING brought you, habited in gold. After sunset your song wore a tune of ascetic grey, and then came night. Your message was written in bright letters across black. Why is such splendour about you to lure the heart of one who is nothing? Answer Great is the festival hall where you are to be the only guest. Therefore the letter to you is written from sky to sky, and I, the proud servant, bring the invitation with all ceremony. I HAD travelled all day and was tired, then I bowed my head towards thy kingly court still far away. The night deepened, a longing burned in my heart; whatever the words I sang, pain cried through them, for even my songs thirsted. O my Lover, my Beloved, my best in all the world! When time seemed lost in darkness thy hand dropped its sceptre to take up the lute and strike the uttermost chords; and my heart sang out, O my Lover, my Beloved, my best in all the world! Ah, who is this whose arms enfold me? Whatever I have to leave let me leave, and whatever I have to bear let me bear. Only let me walk with thee, O my Lover, my Beloved, my best in all the world! Descend at whiles from thine audience hall, come down amid joys and sorrows; hide in all forms and delights, in love and in my heart; there sing the songs, O my Lover, my Beloved, my best in all the world!