O devotee, that idlest in thy cave, ✿ Meseems eke thou hast learned Love’s might and main;
But if, at end of woes, with them I league, ✿ Straight I’ll forget all suffering and fatigue.
Hardly had he made an end of these verses when, behold! the door of the cavern opened and he heard one say, “Alas, the pity of it!”[[50]] So he entered and saluted the devotee, who returned his salam and asked him, “What is thy name?” Answered the young man, “Uns al-Wujud.” “And what caused thee to come hither?” quoth the hermit. So he told him his story in its entirety, omitting naught of his misfortunes; whereat he wept and said,
“O Uns al-Wujud, these twenty years have I passed in this place, but never beheld I any man here, until yesterday, when I heard a noise of weeping and lamentation and, looking forth in the direction of the sound, saw many people and tents pitched on the sea-shore; and the party at once proceeded to build a ship, in which certain of them embarked and sailed over the waters. Then some of the crew returned with the ship and breaking it up, went their way; and I suspect that those who embarked in the ship and returned not, are they whom thou seekest. In that case, O Uns al-Wujud, thy grief must needs be great and sore and thou art excusable, though never yet was lover but suffered love-longing.” Then he recited these couplets:—
Uns al-Wujud, dost deem me fancy-free, ✿ When pine and longing slay and quicken me?
I have known love and yearning from the years ✿ Since mother-milk I drank, nor e’er was free.
Long struggled I with Love, till learnt his might; ✿ Ask thou of him, he’ll tell with willing gree.
Love-sick and pining drank I passion-cup, ✿ And well-nigh perished in mine agony.
Strong was I, but my strength to weakness turned, ✿ And eye-sword brake through Patience armoury:
Hope not to win love-joys, without annoy; ✿ Contrary ever links with contrary.