IN thousand forms may you attempt surprise,
Yet, all-Beloved-one, straight know I you;
Thou may with magic veils your Face disguise,

And yet, all-Present-one, straight know I you.
Upon the cypress’ purest, youthful bud,

All-Beauteous-growing-one, straight know I you;
In the canal’s unsullied, living flood,

All-Captivating-one, well know I you.
When spreads the water-column, rising proud,

All-Supportive one, how gladly know I you;
When, even in forming, is transformed the cloud,

All-figure-changing-one, there know I you.
Veil in the meadow-carpet’s flowery charms,

All-checkered-starry-fair-one, know I you;
And if a plant extend its thousand arms,

O, all-Embracing-one, there know I you.
When on the mount is kindled morn’s sweet light,

Straightway, all-gladdening-one, salute I you,
The arch of heaven over head grows pure and bright,

All-Heart-expanding-one, then breathe I you.
That which my inward, outward sense proclaims,

You all-instructing-One, I know through you;
And if I utter Allah’s hundred Names,
A Name with each One echoes, meant for You.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
(Book of Suleika adapted from Rumi Divan)