When My King Comes to Court

When my king steps out into his court, cries and shouts rise up from all his army. The true lover flees his home and household, and the rich man walks away from wealth and rank. Gaze on the street where he lives, and you will see a thousand Josephs of Egypt rise from the bottom of the well. The dawn is so honest in its longing for him that out of desire for his face it rises early. When those who keep to their cloisters... a cry of 'what a scandal!' goes up from everyone. His glance is drunk and... whoever steps out steps out of all shelter. If, say, he rises later than usual from sleep, then on that day the morning breaks at noon. If a mirror caught his reflection from afar, a thousand sighs would rise from its stony heart. If a dead man remembered him in the heart of the dust, plenty of grass would sprout over his grave. Be patient, my heart... the work gets done as the years and months roll by. When someone sins in the secret of his love, the scent of worship rises out of that very sin. Sadi's heart, do not... bow down there where...