Original content

English translation

In the midst of the gathering, a man of perfection Asked Muhyi al-Din Yahya a question, 'Since all those positions, both hidden and manifest, Belonged to Mustafa in both worlds, Why did he say, "Would that from the ocean of generosity, God had not brought me into existence"? He for whose sake the whole universe exists, Both worlds being the dust at his feet. Why would he say this? What wisdom do you know in this? Explain this as much as you can.' He said, 'Two Luri youths, a man and a woman, Made their dwelling in a tent in the desert. They had two tents opposite each other, And union with one another was possible for both. Both possessed perfection in goodness, They had both sweetness and beauty. Both became intoxicated by each other's faces, They became prey to the net of each other's hair. Day and night they burned in love for each other, Months and years they burned from head to foot. They lived upon each other's beauty, Constantly gazing at one another. They could not bear separation from one another for a moment, For the love of both was not just anywhere. Eventually, for both of them, due to the times, Sheep and cows became countless. The business and affairs of both became extensive, Both tents became places of hustle and bustle. As their status increased every hour, And their horses and slaves grew more numerous every moment, They returned from the desert to the city, And two towering palaces became theirs. They established chamberlains and doorkeepers, They ruled over the kingdom of the world. The affairs of both surpassed the heavens, Because they were progressing every moment. For this reason, those two soul-soothing birds Fell far away from each other. For both, due to the business, affairs, and hustle, Union departed and separation appeared openly. A long road remained between them both, This one remained separated from that, and that from this. In separation from each other they burned, Every moment they burned in a different way. No one was aware of their pain, There was no path toward each other for them. Both became longing for beggary, They became enemies of that kingship. In beggary, both like milk and sugar, Became fresh and happy from each other. But when they read the decree of kingship, They remained from whiteness in blackness. In their beggary, affairs were much better, Their kingship did not agree with them. In beggary, they played at love together, In kingship, they did not attend to each other. Eventually, from the turning of night and day, Time made both of them bankrupt. Kingship departed and that excess did not remain, Nothing remained but the cash of poverty. They left the city, bereft of themselves, Both took the road to the desert. Both arrived like deprived and poor ones, They returned to the place of the beginning. Just like the first time, two complete tents Those two erected in one place. Once again, both sweethearts without fatigue, Fell opposite each other, oh wonder! Both were lost in each other again from the start, And in one moment were lost to the whole world. They took up the cash of union and the treasure of the soul, They removed the trouble of separation from the middle. Every moment they found a different delight, Every breath they found a hundredfold pleasure. Those two birds loosened their tongues there, Giving thanks to God every moment: "That from kingship we came to this beggary, We came to the beginning of this acquaintance. Kingship had become our trap, Until two birds fell apart from each other. We became the dust of dervishhood from the pure soul, May dust be upon the head of that kingship! Would that there were no such kingship and perfection, So time would not take away this union. Would that I were without drum and banner, So I could always be together like this." If the whole world is to submit, The purpose of it all is being together. Since we both reached each other this breath, We are free from all affairs, this is enough.'