LOVE

Love hath naught to do with the five (senses) and the six(directions): its goal is only (to experience) the attraction
exerted by the Beloved.
Afterwards, maybe, permission will come (from God): the secrets
that ought to be told will be told,
With an eloquence that is nearer (to the understanding).
The secret is partner with none but the knower of the secret;
in the sceptic's ear the secret is no secret (at all).
But (the command) to call (the people to God) comes down from the Maker:
what has he (the prophet or saint) to do with (their) acceptance or non-acceptance?
Noah continued to call (the people to God) for nine hundred years:
the unbelief of his folk was increasing from moment to moment.
Did he ever pull back the rein of speech? Did he ever creep into
the cave of silence?
He said (to himself), "Does a caravan ever turn back from a journey on account of the noise and clamour of dogs?
Or on a night of moonlight is the running of the full-moon in its course retarded by the dog's outcry?
The moon sheds light and the dog barks: every one proceeds according to his nature.
(The Divine) Destiny hath allotted to every one a certain service,suitable to his essential nature, (to be performed) in (the way of)probation.
Since the dog will not leave off his pestilent howling, I (who)am the moon, how should I abandon my course?"
Inasmuch as the vinegar increases acidity, therefore it is
necessary to increase the sugar.
Wrath is (like) vinegar, mercy like honey; and these twain are
the basis of every oxymel.
If the honey fail to withstand (be overpowered by) the vinegar,
the oxymel will be spoilt.
The people were pouring vinegar on him (Noah), and the Ocean(of Divine Bounty) was pouring more sugar for Noah.
His sugar was replenished from the Sea of Bounty, therefore
it was exceeding the vinegar of (all) the inhabitants of the world.


RUMI