You consider them to be intoxicated, though they are not intoxicated, but the Beloved has lifted the veil from His countenance. They beheld a tender thing whereby young hearts were enraptured, and sipped a wine whereupon they cast away all shame. My friend, if you saw the cup of life when it was passed around, you would leave your family and make the wine house your home.

To the cupbearer you would surrender your soul as he approached with the wine, grateful that you finally became the winemaker’s neighbor. You who pour the wine, please let me drink. Give it to me to drink, for the heart cannot endure. Bring it, fresh and reddish – that which turns night into day.

Bring it, pure and secret, bring it, mixed in the open. It is my sustenance and my soul, through it reason has found light. For the body it is nourishment, for it the body is a veil. Previously you let me drink small glasses of it. Do you think I will today be satisfied with large glasses from you?

I am not content with anything other than emptying the great seas. Then I do not know whether I will quench my thirst, or taste death. The cheerful songs of the ascetics, tell me of him who visited and disappeared, leaving a light in the heart and a flame in the body.

By the east wind, sing for my spirit and hold the soul in captivity! Perhaps it will truly realize that the escape is to God. Through Him it perishes and is brought to life, and sees existence as a reflection. It sees the celestial bodies orbit – and with God is the final resting place.