Wine is forbidden to those not languishing
half drunk at the banquet of the soul.
This is a decree of the master of the holy fire,
not a religious doctrine.
Whoever follows us on the feet
of surrender and contentment
is not excused if he finds fault
with what we do.
To whom should I say this? No one has
enough enthusiasm for traversing the path,
though the path of love is easy
and the goal not far.
Put aside cleverness and sobriety,
be full of yearning!
The secrets of the heart-ravishers
are not concealed from lovers.
Many are near, yet in truth are far,
far away from us;
many are far away but
not really separated from us.
In the darkness of multiplicity
what guide is there but love?
With the lantern of love there is
no gloom in the pitch black night.
O Nurbakhsh, do not reveal the secrets
of the rendan to the pious ascetics —
those captains have no light
at the bows of their ships.