Rumi's Masnavi - If the Sea roar, its roaring turns to foam and becomes the surge of “I desired to be known.”

If the Sea roar, its roaring turns to foam and becomes the surge of “I desired to be known.”

To utter words (concerning Him) is to shut the window (through which He reveals Himself): the very act of expression is the concealment (of Him).

Sing, like nightingales, in the presence of the Rose, in order that you may divert them from the scent of the Rose, 700

So that their ears will be engaged in (listening to) the song, and their attention will not fly to the face of the Rose.

Before this Sun, which is exceedingly radiant, every guide is in reality a highway robber.

Story of the minstrel who began to sing this ode at the banquet of the Turkish Amír: “Art Thou a rose or a lily or a cypress or a man? I know not. What dost Thou desire from this bewildered one who has lost his heart? I know not”— and how the Turk shouted at him, “Tell of that which you know!”—and the minstrel's reply to the Amír.

In the presence of the drunken Turk the minstrel began (to sing of) the mysteries of Alast under the veil of melody—

“I know not whether Thou art a moon or an idol, I know not what Thou desirest of me.

I know not what service I shall pay Thee, whether I shall keep silence or express Thee in words. 705

’Tis marvellous that Thou art not separate from me, (and yet) where am I, and where Thou, I know not.

I know not how Thou art drawing me: Thou drawest me now into Thy bosom, now into blood.”