Rumi's Masnavi - Round the channel and round the Water and the sound of the Water, like a pilgrim circumambulating the Ka‘ba of Truth.

Round the channel and round the Water and the sound of the Water, like a pilgrim circumambulating the Ka‘ba of Truth.

Even so, in (composing) this Mathnawí thou, O Ziyá’u ’l-Haqq (Radiance of God) Husámu’ddín, art my object.

The whole Mathnawí in its branches and roots is thine: thou hast accepted (it). 755

Kings accept (both) good and bad: when they accept (anything), it is reprobate no more.

Since thou hast planted the sapling, give it water. Since thou hast given it freedom (to grow), untie the knots.

In (all) its expressions my object is (to reveal) thy mystery; in composing it my object is (to hear) thy voice.

To me thy voice is the voice of God: Heaven forfend that (I should say) the lover is separate from the Beloved.

There is a union beyond description or analogy between the Lord of Man and the spirit of Man. 760

But I said nás (Man), not nasnás; nás is none but the spirit that knows the (Divine) Spirit.

Nás is Man, and where is Manhood? You have never beheld the head (spiritual principle) of Man: you are a tail.