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130 THE TAKJUMAX AL-ASHWAQ (XLIII, XLIV)

causes the eyes to water). Imru’u’l-Qays saj^s (cf. Ahlwarcit,
The Dlwcins, 204, Xo. 26) :

XLIV
1. The full moon appeared in the nij^ht of haii-, and the
black narcissus bedewed the rose.
2. A tender girl is she: the fair women were confounded by
her, and her radiance outsh(\ne the moon.
3. If she enters into the mind, that imagination wounds
her: how, then, can she be perceived by the eye ?
4. She is a phantom of delight that melts away when we
think of her : she is too subtle for the range of vision.
5. Description .sought to explain her, but she was tran­
scendent, and de.scription became dumb.
6. Whenever it tries to qualify her, it always retires baffled.
7. If one who seeks her' will give rest to his beasts, others
will not give rest to the beast of reflection.
8. She is a joy that transports from the rank of humanity
every one who burns with love of her,
9. From jealousy that her clear essence should be mingled
with the filth which is in the tanks.
10. She excels the sun in splendour: her form is not to bo
compared with any.
11. The heaven of light is under the sole of her foot: her
diadem is beyond the spheres.
appeared in the unseen world of mysterious knowledge.
C o m m e n t a r y
1. ‘ The full moon,’ etc., i.e. the Divine manifestation

‘ And the black narci.ssus,’ etc., i.e. the weeping eye
bedewed the red cheek.s. He means to say that the centre of
Essential manifestation replenished the Divine name.s.
2. ‘ The fair women,’ i.e. the attendant Names.
7. ‘ One who seeks her,’ i.e. the gnostic who is aware that
he cannot reach her.
‘ His boasts,’ i.e. his aspirations.