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Nizami – Makhzanol Asrar (The Treasury of Mysteries) – extract from Poets and Poetry 04

He who bore his standard on this road, carried off the ball from the sun
and won the race from the moon.

Though his inspiration did not move quickly,
he did not slacken his effort for one moment.

When his thought moved swiftly, he won the race from heaven;
yet he was still unsatisfied.

The pinions of Gabriel were his steed;
the wings of the angel Esrafil were his fan

Do not sacrifice to others this seed.
Do not entrust this string to any man.

The fig tree would be bare,
if every bird could eat figs

I, who am perfect in this art,
am worthy to be seen, for I am true.

The temple of poetry was founded by me:
the art of poetry was freed from the tavern.

The ascetic and the monks rushed towards me;
they threw down their cloaks and belts.

I still am like a rosebud;
I still expect the North Wind

If I show the new poetry, my voice
will be the trumpet call of the day of resurrection.

Everyone, young and old,
is fascinated by the magic of my words

My art has removed the patience of magic;
my magic is the spell which deceives the angels.

My Babylon is Ganjeh which seduces Harut,
my Venus is my mind which lights the stars

The Venus of this zone pertains to Libra;
therefore it possesses spiritual speech.

Night is the food of my lawful magic;
it has blotted out the recipe of Harut.

The image of Nezami, my thought,
lives by my lawful magic