Ghazal 4

Those drunk on sleep are blind to what life is. What is real living? A drunkenness deeper than wine. Don't think I meant ordinary wine: this one fills your house with light and tears reason down instead. Get drunk on the wine of longing for the Beloved, for whatever robs you of reason for that is pure loss. If you want nearness, don't turn your neck from obedience; if you want your wages, don't look away from the work. You sleep in the valley while the caravan has moved on; I fear you'll only reach the destination in a dream. Until you sow the seed of devotion, you'll harvest no joy: bear the hardship first, then find the treasure. The fountain of life lies in the dark; the pearl is in the sea, the treasure in the ruins. Whoever keeps knocking, hammering steadily on the anvil, will one day find the door swing open. You must set out to reach your heart's desire; you must sit through the night for the sun to rise. Saadi, if you expect a reward without doing the work, a whole caravan can die of thirst chasing a mirage.