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(Masnavi Book 3: 73) The Wakíl of Bukhara and his Master




Story of the Sadr-i Jahán's Wakíl (minister), who fell under suspicion and fled from Bukhárá in fear of his life; then love drew him back irresistibly, for the matter of life is of small account to lovers.

In Bukhárá the servant of the Sadr-i Jahán incurred suspicion and hid from his Sadr (prince). During ten years he roamed distractedly, now in Khurásán, now in the mountain-land, now in the desert.
After ten years, through longing he became unable to endure the days of separation (from his
beloved).
He said, “Henceforth I cannot bear to be parted (from him) any more: how can patience allay
(the lover's) state of abandonment?”

3690. From separation these soils are nitrous (barren), and water becomes yellow and stinking and dark;

The life-increasing wind (air) becomes unhealthy and pestilential; a fire turns to ashes and dust. The orchard which resembled Paradise becomes the abode of disease, (with) its leaves yellow and dropping in decay.
The penetrating intellect, through separation from its friends, (becomes) like an archer whose bow is broken.
From separation Hell has become so burning; from separation the old man has become so
trembling.

3695. If I should speak of separation, (which is) like sparks of fire, till the Resurrection,
twould be (only) one (part) out of a hundred thousand.
Therefore do not breathe (a word) in description of its burning: say only “Lord, save (me)! Lord, save (me)!”
Everything by which you are rejoiced in the world—think at that time of the parting from it.
Many a one has been gladdened by what made you glad: at last it escaped from him and became even as wind.
It will escape from you also: set not your heart upon it. Do you yourself escape from it before it
escapes (from you).

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