Sol 5.6

  1. I soared through all the light that exis—

    —ted in the rays of the sun;

  2. and through beauty, whenever it exis—

    —ted in freedom and confinement;

  3. and through love—all that rose

    above delusion and confusion;

  4. through the breast, wherever it goes forth,

    and through the dew, wherever it comes to rest.

  5. I leapt from my heart’s high citadel

    into my soul’s deepest core.

  6. I was like blood that greets the morning

    with a pounding, and enters evening

  7. still rising and plunging,

    down a slope within the pulse.

  8. And I was like water, pouring—

    —forth in a flowing rush and ringing sound;

  9. and I was like light, streaming—

    —out amid tumult and whisper.

  10. You filled my soul and took shape—

    —within my senses’ hidden chambers.

  11. You graced my day and were inscribed—

    —upon the record of my yesterday.

  12. My heart surged, then lowered its gaze

    before majesty and holiness;

  13. then raced like the sea,

    driven by madness and possession.

  14. O you there, I adjure you by Al—

    —lah: have you heard of Qays,

  15. a young man dwelling by my side,

    between arrow and bow?

  16. Layla shot him there beside—

    —you, then sought refuge behind a shield.

  17. Enough of your enchantment; enough for me

    is what I have suffered—and enough!

Sol 5.6