O WORLDLY CONGREGATION! THOUGH YOUR GATHERINGS WERE ATTRACTIVE

Introduction
This ghazal is on the subject of the controversy between Intellect and Love, for which see Chapter 3, paragraph "Controversy of `Aql O Dil". The climax is reached in verses 2 and 4. �All�mah Iqb�l has expressed this thought in many poems, a few are of which are presented below;

 (191) B� `Al� in the Lailah's camel's dust-clouds is lost
            R�m�'s hand got the curtain of her litter

(192) This dived deeper so as to reach the pearl
           That got caught in the whirlpool like mote

(Appendix III, No. 24.)

(193) In logic I get the smell of immaturity
           Its arguments are arguments of immaturity!

(194) The closed doors are opened to me
            By a verse of R�m� or Jam�

(Appendix III, No. 33.)

Translation
O worldly congregation! Though your gatherings were attractive
Some degree of melancholy there was in your spectacles

Finally that dust acquired comfort in Love
Which had been wandering long in Intellect's wilderness

O Wine! How much enamored you were with the custom of concealment
After emerging from grape's veil you were concealed in the decanter

Knowledge could not comprehend the Beauty's effect
So much ignorance prevailed in all the world's sages

                O Iqb�l! I have searched for it in Europe in vain
                The characteristic which was in the beauties of India