Rumi's Masnavi - Flapping their wings, secure from falling back headlong, (soaring) in the (spiritual) air and saying, “Verily unto Him we are returning.”

Flapping their wings, secure from falling back headlong, (soaring) in the (spiritual) air and saying, “Verily unto Him we are returning.”

From that Bounty comes the call, “Come! After that returning (unto Me) desire and anxiety are no more.

As exiles in the world ye suffered many indignities: ye will have learned to value Me, O nobles.

Hark now, stretch your legs beneath the shade of this tree of Mine in the intoxication of delight,

(Stretch) your legs, (which are) fatigued by (travel on) the Way of Religion, resting for ever on the bosoms and hands of the houris, 4185

(While) the houris amorously and fondly say, ‘These Súfís have returned from their travels.

The Súfís pure as the light of the sun, who for a long time had fallen into (the world of) earth and filth,

Have (now) come back stainless and undefiled, as the sunlight to the lofty orb (of the sun).’”

(Ayáz said), “This company of sinners likewise, O glorious (King)—all their heads have come against a wall.

They have become aware of their fault and sin, although they were defeated by the King's two dice. 4190