Tasin of Gautama
Gautama

Ancient wine and youthful beloved are— nothing; for men of true vision the houris of Paradise are— nothing.

Whatever you know as firm and enduring passes away, mountain and desert, land, sea and shore are—nothing.

The science of the Westerners, the philosophy of the Easterners are all idol houses, and the visiting of idols yields— nothing.

Think upon self, and pass not fearfully through this desert, for you are, while the substance of both worlds is— nothing.

On the road which I hewed out with the point of my eyelash station and caravan and shifting sands are— nothing.

Transcend the unseen, for this doubt and surmise are nothing; to be in the world and to escape from the world—that is Something!

The Paradise that some God grants unto you is nothing; when Paradise is the reward of your labours—that is something.

Do you seek repose for your soul? The soul’s repose is nothing; the tear shed in sorrow for your companions—that is something.

The wine‐drenched eye, the temptress glance and the song are all fair, but sweeter than these—there is something.

The cheek’s beauty lives for a moment, in a moment is no more; the beauty of action and fine ideals—that is something.

The Dancing Girl

Give not occasion for conturbation to this restless heart; add one or two curls more to my twisted tress.

In my breast is such a lightning flash of revelation from you, I have yielded the bitterness of expectation to the moon and the sun.

The joy of God’s presence founded in this world idolatry’s wont; love ever eludes the soul that is full of hope.

So that with carefree heart I may play a new melody give back again to the meadow the true bird of the meadow.

You have granted me a lofty nature; release the shackle from my foot that I may bestow a prince’s robe upon your sackcloth.

If the axe struck against the stone, what cause of talk is that? Love can carry upon its back a whole mountain range!