Masnavi · 12th–13th century

Majnun at the Kaaba

Nezami Ganjaviنظامی گنجوی

یارب به خدایی خدایی‌ت

O Lord, by Your divinity,

وآنگه به کمال پادشا‌یی‌ت

and then by the perfection of Your kingship,

کز عشق به غایتی رسانم

bring me to such a height of love

کو ماند اگر چه من نمانم

that it remains, even if I do not.

از چشمه عشق ده مرا نور

Give me light from the fountain of love,

وین سرمه مکن ز چشم من دور

and do not take this kohl away from my eyes.

گرچه ز شراب عشق مستم

Though I am drunk on the wine of love,

عاشق‌تر ازین کنم که هستم

make me more of a lover than I am.

گویند که خو ز عشق واکن

They tell me, “Break the habit of love;

لیلی‌طلبی ز دل رها کن

let go of seeking Layli in your heart.”

یارب تو مرا به روی لیلی

O Lord, give me, for Layli’s face,

هر لحظه بده زیاده میلی

a greater longing every moment.

از عمر من آنچه هست بر جای

Whatever is left of my life,

بستان و به عمر لیلی افزای

take it, and add it to Layli’s life.

گرچه شده‌ام چو مویش از غم

Though grief has made me thin as her hair,

یک موی نخواهم از سرش کم

I would not wish one hair less on her head.

From: Layli and Majnun
Translation: Persiahaus Editors
Source: Draft translation from the Ganjoor text
Persian text: Ganjoor

A note for readers

Majnun’s father takes him on pilgrimage to Mecca and tells him to hold the ring of the Kaaba’s door and pray to be cured of love. Majnun seizes the ring and prays instead to love more. These couplets come from his prayer, one of the best-known passages of Layli and Majnun.