"Night Songs"

Silent is the night, but in the robe of silence
dreams lie waiting.
The moon rolls overhead.
Its watchful eyes observe
the passing days.

Let me take you,
daughter of the fields, to the
lovers' vineyard.
The wine we press will quench the fires of longing.

Can't you hear the nightingale out in the fields
pour out melodies?

The breathing of the hills has filled
the sky, their breath
the scent of herbs

You need not fear, my love,
for never have the stars on high
told what they know.
Night's thick mists swirl in these vineyards;
they will veil our secrets.

You need not fear the spirit bride
will come out from
her magic cave.
She lies in drunken sleep, unseen by all
saves houris' eyes.

The spirit king, if he should pass, let passion
give him due praise.
Like me he is in love and will not punish love,
for he burns too!

--The Essential Rumi,
Translations by Coleman Barks with John Moyne