Culture

Pagan temples and mosques are all houses of worship. Ringing church bells are hymns of worship. The sacred thread of the Parsee, the synagogue, the rosary and the crucifix– in reality, all are tokens of servitude to God. Translated by Juan Cole from Whinfield 34.

Night and day preceded you and me. The vault of the sky revolved upon some work. Be careful to tread lightly  on the earth– you’re walking on people who used to be someone’s lover. Translated by Juan Cole from Whinfield 33.

Don’t try every door  because of some bauble; you just have to accept the good and bad of your time; a shake of the cup and a toss of the dice– whatever comes up, you’ll just have to play it. Translated by Juan Cole from Whinfield 31 .

Get up and come here for the sake of my heart, and lend your beauty  to solving my problem. Bring an earthenware cup full of wine for us to drink, –quick before we’re clay  in the ground that they quarry  to make cups. translated by Juan Cole from Whinfield 5

Your hand can seize today, but not tomorrow; and thoughts of your tomorrow are nothing but desire. Don’t waste this breath, if your heart isn’t crazy, since ‘the rest of your life’ won’t last forever. trans. Juan Cole from Whinfield 30

79 Mix together wine, song and heavenly lover if you can, and sit on the bank  of a purling stream. Don’t look for anything better, don’t speak of a forgotten hell; for, really,  there is no other heaven than this. trans. Juan Cole

My heart, your fate is so bloody– and every second your condition must change again. My soul, what business do you have in this body of mine?– Since, when your business is done, you’ll just be out of it. trans. Juan Cole from Whinfield 28

Since today  is the time of my youth, I drink what makes me happy. Don’t speak badly of it–  although it is bitter, it is good. It’s bitter  because it is my life. Trans. Juan Cole from Whinfield 28

That priceless ruby is from a different mine, and that unique pearl is from a different shop. Thinking about this and that is just your imagination, and mine; the story of passionate love is from a different tongue. trans. by Juan Cole From Whinfield 27.