Epiphany of the Divine Majesty

Suddenly I beheld my world, that earth and heaven of mine,

I saw it drowned in a light of dawn; I saw it crimson as a jujube tree:

out of the epiphanies which broke in my soul I fell drunk with ecstasy, like Moses.

That light revealed every secret veiled and snatched the power of speech from my tongue.

Out of the deep heart of the inscrutable world an ardent, flaming melody broke forth.

‘Abandon the East, be not spellbound by the West, for all this ancient and new is not worth one barleycorn.

That signet ring which you gambled away to Ahriman should not be pledged even to trusty Gabriel.

Life, that ornament of society, is guardian of itself; you who are of the caravan, travel alone, yet go with all!

You have come forth brighter than the all illumining sun; so live, that you may irradiate every mote.

Alexander, Darius, Qubad and Khusrau have departed like a blade of grass fallen in the path of the wind.

So slender is your cup that the tavern has been put to shame; seize a tumbler, and drink wisely, and so be gone!’