She was the Emir’s daughter!

He knelt as did Moses when he saw the flaming bush; he struggled to speak but found himself mute, substituting with tears.

The princess embraced him and printed a kiss upon his lips; she dried his tears with her soft cheeks, and with a voice more soothing than the sounds of music, she spoke, “You appeared in my dream of sadness, and your image ended my loneliness. You are the companion of my lost soul, and you are my other half from which I was torn when I came to this world.

I fled the palace to see you, and you are now with me. Do not be frightened for me; I have left my father’s glory to follow you into the distant land and drink the cup of life and death with you. Come, let us leave this place for another, where this earth cannot be with us.”

The couple walked side by side in the midst of the trees, until hidden by the obscurity of night. And as they walked, they were enveloped in an increasing glow of light. Now they were unafraid of the darkness, fearless of the Emir’s punishment.

image

There, in the farthest portion of the land, the Emir’s soldiers found the skeletons of two humans. About the neck of one was tied a gold locket, and by their side, a great stone. Upon each was inscribed:

What Death takes away

No man can restore;

What Heaven has blessed

No man can punish;

What Love has joined

No man can divide;

What Eternity has willed

No man can alter.

Song of Love

I AM THE lover’s eyes, and the spirit’s

Wine, and the heart’s nourishment.

I am a rose. My heart opens at dawn and

The virgin kisses me and places me

Upon her breast

I am the house of true fortune, and the

Origin of pleasure, and the beginning

Of peace and tranquility. I am the gentle

Smile upon the lips of beauty. When youth

Overtakes me he forgets his toil, and his

Whole life becomes reality of sweet dreams.

I am the poet’s elation,

And the artist’s revelation,

And the musician’s inspiration.

I am a sacred shrine in the heart of a

Child, adored by a merciful mother.

I appear to a heart’s cry; I shun a demand;

My fullness pursues the heart’s desire;

It shuns the empty claim of the voice.

I appeared to Adam through Eve

And exile was his lot;

Yet I revealed myself to Solomon, and

He drew wisdom from my presence.

I smiled at Helena and she destroyed Tarwada;

Yet I crowned Cleopatra and peace dominated

The Valley of the Nile.

I am like the ages—building today

And destroying tomorrow;

I am like a god, who creates and ruin

I am sweeter than a violet’s sigh;

I am more violent than a raging tempest.

Gifts alone do not entice me;

Parting does not discourage me;

Poverty does not chase me;

Jealousy does not prove my awareness;

Madness does not evidence my presence.

Oh seekers, I am Truth, beseeching Truth;

And your Truth in seeking and receiving

And protecting me shall determine my

Behavior.

Two Wishes

IN THE silence of the night Death descended from God toward the earth. He hovered above a city and pierced the dwellings with his eyes. He saw the spirits floating on wings of dreams, and the people who were surrendered to the mercy of Slumber.

When the moon fell below the horizon and the city became black, Death walked silently among the houses—careful to touch nothing—until he reached a palace. He entered through the bolted gates undisturbed, and stood by the rich man’s bed; and as Death touched his forehead, the sleeper’s eyes opened, showing great fright.

When he saw the specter, he summoned a voice mingled with fear and anger, and said, “Go away, oh horrible dream; leave me, you dreadful ghost. Who are you? How did you enter this place? What do you want? Leave this place at once, for I am the lord of the house and will call my slaves and guards, and order them to kill you!”

Then Death spoke, softly but with smoldering thunder, “I am Death. Stand and bow!”

The man responded, “What do you want? Why have you come here when I have not yet finished my affairs? What seek you from strength such as mine? Go to the weak man, and take him away!

I loathe the sight of your bloody paws and hollow face, and my eyes take sick at your horrible ribbed wings and cadaverous body.”

After a quiet moment of fearful realization he added, “No, no, oh merciful Death! Mind not my talk, for fear reveals what the heart forbids.

Take a bushelful of my gold, or a handful of my slaves’ souls, but leave me. I have accounts with Life requiring settling; I have due from the people much gold: my ships have not reached the harbor; my wheat has not been harvested. Take anything you demand, but spare my life. Death, I own harems of supernatural beauty; your choice is my gift to you. Give heed, Death—I have but one child, and I love him dearly for he is my only joy in this life. I offer supreme sacrifice—take him, but spare me!”

Death murmured, “You are not rich, but pitifully poor.” Then Death took the hand of that earthly slave, removed his reality, and gave to the angels the heavy task of correction.

And Death walked slowly amidst the dwellings of the poor until he reached the most miserable he could find. He entered and approached a bed upon which a youth slept fitfully. Death touched his eyes; the lad sprang up as he saw Death standing by, and, with a voice full of love and hope he said, “Here I am, my beautiful Death. Accept my soul, for you are the hope of my dreams. Be their accomplishment! Embrace me, oh beloved Death! You are merciful; do not leave me. You are God’s messenger; deliver me to Him. You are the right hand of Truth and the heart of Kindness; do not neglect me.

I have begged for you many times, but you did not come; I have sought you, but you avoided me; I called out to you, but you listened not. You hear me now—embrace my soul, beloved Death!”

Death placed his softened hand upon the trembling lips, removed all reality, and enfolded it beneath his wings for secure conduct. And returning to the sky, Death looked back and whispered his warning:

“Only those return to Eternity

Who on earth seek out Eternity.”

Song of Man

I WAS HERE from the moment of the

Beginning, and here I am still. And

I shall remain here until the end

Of the world, for there is no

Ending to my grief-stricken being.

I roamed the infinite sky, and

Soared in the ideal world, and

Floated through the firmament.