of the meadow of love.

O Shaykh! Make of thine effort a glass, perchance it may shelter this
flame from the contrary winds; albeit this light doth long to be kindled
in the lamp of the Lord, and to shine in the globe of the spirit. For the
head raised up in the love of God will certainly fall by the sword, and
the life that is kindled with longing will surely be sacrificed, and the
heart which remembereth the Loved One will surely brim with blood. How
well is it said:

Live free of love, for its very peace is anguish;
Its beginning is pain, its end is death.(77)

Peace be upon him who followeth the Right Path!

* * * * *

The thoughts thou hast expressed as to the interpretation of the common
species of bird that is called in Persian Gunjishk (sparrow) were
considered.(78) Thou appearest to be well-grounded in mystic truth.
However, on every plane, to every letter a meaning is allotted which
relateth to that plane. Indeed, the wayfarer findeth a secret in every
name, a mystery in every letter. In one sense, these letters refer to
holiness.

Kaf or Gaf (K or G) referreth to Kuffi ("free"), that is, "Free thyself
from that which thy passion desireth; then advance unto thy Lord."

Nun referreth to Nazzih ("purify"), that is, "Purify thyself from all else
save Him, that thou mayest surrender thy life in His love."

Jim is Janib ("draw back"), that is, "Draw back from the threshold of the
True One if thou still possessest earthly attributes."

Shin is Ushkur ("thank")--"Thank thy Lord on His earth that He may bless
thee in His heaven; albeit in the world of oneness, this heaven is the
same as His earth."

Kaf referreth to Kuffi, that is: "Take off from thyself the wrappings of
limitations, that thou mayest come to know what thou hast not known of the
states of Sanctity."(79)

Wert thou to harken to the melodies of this mortal Bird,(80) then wouldst
thou seek out the undying chalice and pass by every perishable cup.

Peace be upon those who walk in the Right Path!

THE FOUR VALLEYS

The Four Valleys

_He is the Strong, the Well-Beloved!_

O light of truth, Hisam-i-Din, the bounteous,
No prince hath the world begot like unto Thee!(81)

I am wondering why the tie of love was so abruptly severed, and the firm
covenant of friendship broken. Did ever, God forbid, My devotion lessen,
or My deep affection fail, that thou hast thus forgot Me and blotted Me