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THE TARJUMAN AL-ASHWAQ (XXV I, X X V Il) 103

G. ‘ The raindrops,’ i.e. manifold sorts of Divine knowledge.
7. ‘ The pure essence of its wine,’ i.e. spiritual meanings
and Divine .sciences, which hll the heart with delight.
'A singer,’ i.e. the voice (j:WUl) produced by the universal
praise the human soul hears it in its essence
and is enraptured.
8. ‘ The Garden of Eden,’ i.e. this wine is derived from the
Presence which comes to dwell in the souls of gnostics at the
time of nurture
9. ‘ The fair women,’ i.e. the Divine Names.
‘ From the water of their mouths,’ i.e. from the station of
speecli and expression.
' The virgins,’ i.e. from the station of shame, referring to
contemplation.

XXVII
1. 0 ancient temple, there hath risen for you a light that
gleams in our hearts.
2. I complain to thee of the deserts which I crossed, where
I let my tears flow unchecked,
3. Taking no joy in I’est at dawn or dusk, continuing from
morn to morn and passing from eve to eve.
*1. Truly, the camels, even if they suffer from footsoreness,
jouniey by night and make haste in their journey,
o. These beasts of burden carried us to you with eager desire,
though they did not hope to attain thei'eby.
7. Tlioy did not complain of the anguish of love, and ’tis
0. They travei’sed wildernesses and wellnigh rainless lands,
impelled by passion, but they did not therefore
complain of fatigue.

I who complain of fatigue. Indeed, I have claimed
something absurd.

C o m m e n t a r y
1. ‘ O ancient temple,’ i.e. the gnostic’s heart wliich
contains the I’eality of the Truth.