Rumi's Masnavi - By its light thou canst neither read a letter nor ride to thy destination.

By its light thou canst neither read a letter nor ride to thy destination.

But, as a penalty for thy being enthralled by the lightning, the beams of sunrise withdraw themselves from thee.

Mile after mile through the night the lightning's deception leads thee on, without a guide, in a dark wilderness.

Now thou fallest on a mountain, now into a river; now thou wanderest in this direction, now in that.

O seeker of worldly estate, thou wilt never find the guide; and if thou find him, thou wilt avert thy face from him, 4100

Saying, “I have travelled sixty miles on this road, and (now) this guide tells me I have lost my way.

If I give ear to this marvel, I must begin my journey again under his authority.

I have devoted my life to this journey: (I will pursue it) come what may. Begone, O Khwája!”

“(Yes), thou hast journeyed (far), but (only) in opinion (unsubstantial) as lightning: (come), make a tenth part of that journey for the sake of (Divine) inspiration (glorious) as the sunrise.

Thou hast read (the Verse), Opinion cannot serve instead of truth, and (yet) by a lightning-flash like that thou hast been blinded to a rising sun. 4105