However much I boast of faithfulness

However much I boast of my faithfulness,

my beloved will not believe me, even on oath.

Without my beloved I live in this world

the way wild rue lives in the censer.

The seeker's honour is the thing he seeks;

the servant's honour is his master.

As my beloved is exalted in the world,

so by that influence am I exalted.

As my beloved is renowned in the world,

so I too am renowned in this age.

Since I began to praise the beautiful,

every word I say is pleasing and loved.

The sweetness my sweet words have

is not found even in sugar.

The sugar God placed in my mouth

no confectioner has.

As I am eloquent and skilled,

no other will be so eloquent and skilled.

In verse I am strong as a lion,

yet I do no harm as a lion does.

I know both praise and satire well,

yet I take no great pleasure in such work.

Apart from love, be it my fault or my virtue,

I have cut every other tie from myself.

I am a lover, and love is my concern:

not Khalil, not Daudzai, not Mohmand.

Whoever lectures me about love

is like a son lecturing his father.

Whoever laughs with a mirror in his hand

is only mocking himself.

Let the dyers first dye their own beards;

only then may they give Rahman advice.