O Guide of the Way, how far is it? still how far?

He whose sweet flute-call! hear within my heart,

And it fills my soul with yearnings unknown,

Is this the path where he shall meet my sight?

–"No other path is there."

The farther I advance, the longer stretches the road,

Tired are mind and body. Is it so, alas,

That all my life must be spent? Is there not an easier way

Known to thee, O my Guide?

–"No other path is there."

The unfrontiered desert spreads its waste of fire,

No food is here for my hunger, no water for my thirst;

Insurmountable rise the mountains, violent is the speed of the rivers;

O Friend, is this indeed the path?

–"No other path is there."

Many gilded Illusions come that charm the heart

And they put out the Light on the Way, enemies numberless

Shoot from day to day their arrows, and escape there is none;

–"This the path by which thou must go–

No other path is there."

Who art thou that art ever by my side and givest comfort and assurance.

Thy gaze mixes with mine, O thou Compassionate,

And all sorrow is forgotten at thy touch.

Thy path I will follow,

–No other path is there.

Oh, my thirsting soul has recognised thee,

Thine the sound of the flute, sweet like a cascade of nectar;

Cast off thy disguise, hide thyself from me no more–

All my journeying ends today at thy feet, O Beloved!