Khusrau asked him,
~‘Who are you? What are you making?’
-Farhād replied,
‘I am a lover. I am smelting my soul.’
~‘What is the mark of a lover?’
- ‘He knows to live and suffer.’
~‘What do such lovers really want?’
-‘To give their hearts and seek out pain.’
~‘Why are their hearts not with them?’
-‘Do the beautiful beloveds allow this?’
~‘What is the beloved’s creed?’
- ‘They call it coquetry and deceit.’
~‘What is her other occupation?’
- ‘To take life and give sorrow.’
~‘Does sorrow’s bitterness ever decrease?’
-‘It is sweeter than sorrow, so it’s fine.’
~‘How do you fare with this distance from her?’
-‘I am dying away so far from her face.’
~‘Does her radiance sometimes fall on you?’
-‘Yes, but from afar, like the moon.’
~‘Don’t look at her as long as you live.’
- ‘Death would be better than that life.’
~‘She will put your life in danger.’
- ‘My life is cheap, I have no fear.’
~‘Keep your distance from that friend.’
- ‘That is not friendship’s way.’
‘She is untried and nothing but trouble.’
~ ‘How does that pertain to love?’
‘How long will you suffer for her?’
- ‘All my life and in death as well too.’
~‘And if you die from this passion?’
- ‘I will pray for her in annihilation.’
~‘And if she should chop off your head?’
- ‘It will look towards her from beneath the earth.’
~‘And if she were to spill your blood?’
-‘I will die longing for her.’
~‘Isn’t bloodshed a heinous crime?’
- ‘It is lawful when shed by the friend.’
~‘If she were to suddenly pass before you?’
- ‘My eyes would sweep the way before her.’
~‘If she lays her foot on your eyes?’
-‘There’s room in my eyes and heart.’
~‘If you see her form in a dream?’
-‘I will not wake up until Judgement Day.’
~‘Do you ever dream of this?’
-‘Indeed, if ever I manage to sleep.’
~‘If she asks you to dig through stone with your nails?’
- ‘I would even use my eyelashes for miles.’
~‘Live long in your sorrow for your friend.’
- ‘How can I live when she is my life?’
~‘Love has put your life in danger.’
-‘What have lovers to fear from this?’
Whatever the great monarch said to him,
Farhād answered him back as a lover should.
The king was impressed by the passion
and perseverance in such a true and tried lover.
