What fault of Mine hath made thee cease thy favors?



Is it that We are lowly and thou of high degree?(82) Or is that a

single arrow hath driven thee from the battle?(83) Have they not

told thee that faithfulness is a duty on those who follow the

mystic way, that it is the true guide to His Holy Presence? But

as for those who say, 'Our Lord is God,' and who go straight to

Him, the angels shall descend to them....(84)





Likewise He saith, Go straight on then as thou hast been commanded.(85)

Wherefore, this course is incumbent on those who dwell in the presence of

God.



I do as bidden, and I bring the message,

Whether it give thee counsel or offense.(86)



Albeit I have received no answer to My letters and it is contrary to the

usage of the wise to express My regard anew, yet this new love hath broken

all the old rules and ways.



Tell us not the tale of Layli or of Majnun's woe--

Thy love hath made the world forget the loves of long ago.

When once thy name was on the tongue, the lovers caught it

And it set the speakers and the hearers dancing to and fro.(87)



And of divine wisdom and heavenly counsel, [Rumi says]:



Each moon, O my beloved, for three days I go mad;

Today's the first of these--'Tis why thou seest me glad.



We hear that thou hast journeyed to Tabriz and Tiflis to disseminate

knowledge, or that some other high purpose hath taken thee to

Sanandaj.(88), (89)



O My eminent friend! Those who progress in mystic wayfaring are of four

kinds. I shall describe them in brief, that the grades and qualities of

each kind may become plain to thee.