📜 Lyrics
Cast some spell, work some magic
Make her mad with love for me
Twist and turn the wheel of fate thus—
I the candle, she the moth to be
Look a moment at the stars' path
Draw a chart, O wandering sage
Read some incantation, mantra
Make my fortune grand as empires' age
Cut a vigil so profound that
No one else can break its hold
Give me such a talisman
That she becomes my lover, true and bold
Draw an omen, fortune-teller
Let rose petals line my way
Blow some water, give it to me
Drink it, then my dreams will come to stay
Cast some dark and potent magic
That will light and brighten all my days
Let her say, "Come quick, my darling,"
Life grows short without you here to stay
Set me on a path such
Where my beloved I will meet
Tell me prayers and litanies
That, when read, will bring my love complete
Tame the wild and restless spirits
Pull the serpent from its case
Draw a thread from flying pigeons
Take the bead from threads so laced
Teach me words of such enchantment
That she'll think me eloquent and fair
Make me do such works and deeds
That she knows I'm life itself laid bare
Find that musk, bring it to me
That she see me bright as moon
As her wish and her desire
That to her I seem exactly as her boon
Read some greatest, holiest name
That tears flow in my prayer's prostration
And as your claim goes, let her be
My beloved at my supplication's station
But wait, O sorcerer, one thing—
What is this matter of her feet?
She's the apple of my eye,
But I'm just stone—am I worthy, sweet?
And hear me, sorcerer, change this work—
This work brings only loss and pain
All the threads are in His hands,
The Master of all worlds and reign
💡 Meaning & story
A Brief Explanation of the Poem (For the Audience)
In this poem, the poet has portrayed a beautiful reflection of human psychology. At the beginning, we see the restlessness of a lover who, in order to win his beloved, appeals to a sorcerer to employ every kind of magic, incantations, charms, and the manipulation of stars. He wishes that somehow his beloved would be driven mad with his love and fall at his feet.
The Turning Point: The final section of the poem completely transforms this entire story. The poet suddenly recognizes his own station and the beloved's place. He says that the one you love should not be placed at your feet, but rather on your head and before your eyes. And most importantly, no charm or magic can change a person's destiny; the Master of all affairs is only Allah, and He alone is the Turner of Hearts. This poem moves beyond the illusion of sorcery and witchcraft to impart the lesson of "true love" and "trust in God."
Lyrics & Meaning