Know'st thou the cause why the sun must pursue without ceasing his way?
Till the secret be found must he search o'er the regions of space.
See'st thou, perchance, the wild flame of the fire go mounting the skies?
To the heavens it vaults, that it haply may reach to the bosom of God.
See'st thou the storm, swept in wind, pushing on unfooted, unwinged?
O'er the breadth of the earth to the One in the skies it ceaselessly draws.
See'st thou the water with swiftness of lightning shoot on?
To the joy of a kiss from the lips of its love it hasteth to go.
Know'st why the sea so uproars and high tosses its floods?
'Tis because that the heart in its bosom so burns with the flame of desire:
All the world in its soul glows with fire of its love.
Away, then, the shell: to the depths of pure being descend!

— Attar of Nishapur Attributed Pebbles, Pearls and Gems from the Orient (1882)

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