 have trodden the carpets of the caliphs and witnessed the courtrooms of kings and i have never seen awe equal to that of a lover for his beloved. i have seen the dominance of those who prevail over presidents the control of ministers and the cheerfulness of state administrators and i have never seen anyone more arrogant or more pleased with what he is in than a lover who is certain that his beloveds heart is with him and has confidence in his inclination toward him and the truth of his affection for him. i have attended the positions of those who apologize before the sultans and the positions of those concerned with grave sins with the rebellious tyrants and i have never seen anything more humiliating than the position of a wandering lover before an angry beloved who has been overwhelmed with anger and overcome by coldness.
ولقد وطئت بساط الخلفاء وشاهدت محاضر الملوك، فما رأيت هيبة تعدل هيبة محب لمحبوبه؛ ورأيت تمكن المتغلبين على الرؤساء وتحكم الوزراء، وانبساط مدبري الدول، فما رأيت أشد تبجحا ولا اعظم سرورا بما هو فيه من محب أيقن أن قلب محبوبه عنده ووثق بميله إليه وصحة مودته له؛ وحضرت مقام المعتذرين بين أيدي السلاطين، ومواقف المهتمين بعظيم الذنوب مع المتمردين الطاغين، فما رأيت أذل من موقف محب هيمان بين يدي محبوب غضبان قد غمره السخط وغلب عليه الجفاء.