by Nizami
‘How changed you are, my love! The cruel hands of Fate had stirred up a storm in your heart, whirling you around until you were dazed and confused, until you desired only release.
‘But now the storm has abated and you are at peace, the ocean of your soul more still than the water at the bottom of a deep well. True, you are hidden from my eyes, but my heart can see you and will never lose sight of you! True, you are not here in person, but the pain and suffering you endured in this life will live on for ever.’
Majnun rose to his feet and looked around. The people had gone, terrified by what they took to be the ravings of a madman. But Majnun was not alone. Around him stood his animal companions, supporting him with a mute loyalty that touched his heart. And when, finally, he headed back into the wilderness, his beasts followed him.
The sombre caravan of man and beasts made its way through the desert, with Majnun singing a haunting song as he led the way. As he sang of the only power that can conquer death — the power of love — his plaintive tones echoed through the mountains; it seemed as though the very sands beneath his feet were whispering the same lament. And as he sang, he shed tears of blood that fell to the ground, leaving a crimson trail behind him.
Yet he no longer felt at home in the desert wastes; every now and again, the urge to visit Layla would overcome him and he would hurry back to her grave, his beasts in tow. Like a river in flood he would rush down into the valley where she lay, there to plant tender kisses in the earth that covered her. And throughout his pilgrimage, as he lay in tearful communion with his buried angel, the animals would stand guard and watch over him. His visits to Layla’s tomb had no pattern; consequently, her friends and family kept away from the graveyard, afraid that the madman might suddenly appear without warning. Who, they argued, would want to risk being mauled by a crazed lion, or bitten by a rabid dog?
Chapter 52
Rapidly, so rapidly, did he travel towards death, but however fast he moved, it seemed that he would never reach his goal. He was now but a pilgrim in the world, hurrying towards the grave that was his Mecca, his only place of rest along the way a bed of rocks and thorns. The harvest of his time on earth was burnt and lay smouldering, and now the millstone of Fate was crushing his bones and grinding them to dust.
Gradually, he grew weaker until one day he knew that he had reached the very edge. Slowly, for one last time, he dragged himself to Layla’s tomb. It was evening when he arrived, the sky deep indigo and studded with stars. The Milky Way looked like a rushing river; soon Majnun’s boat would weigh anchor for the last time, and his soul would join that river for the final journey. He sat down exhausted at the foot of Layla’s grave, lifted his face and, raising his hands towards heaven, began to pray:
‘O Lord, Creator of all beings! I implore You in Your own Name: relieve me of the burden of life! Set me free and let me go to my beloved! Untie the chains that bind me to this cruel world and let me fly!’
Majnun closed his eyes and lay down on Layla’s grave, pressing his body against the earth with all that remained of his strength. His parched lips moved in silent prayer; then, with the words, ‘Layla, my love …’ his soul broke free and he was no more.
Chapter 53
Some say that Majnun’s body remained on Layla’s grave for a month, others say a year. Some of those who had seen him there swore that he had not died but was merely sleeping, for Majnun’s beasts sat guarding him, as one watches over a slumbering child. Even they could not believe that he would not rise again.
Afraid of the animals who crowded around the lovers’ tomb, the people kept away. From afar they would stare and point, saying, ‘The madman is still asleep on his lover’s grave.’
And thus in death, as in life, Majnun was left alone; even the vultures that wheeled and swooped above the tomb would not approach him. Eventually, all that remained of him became dust and returned to the earth, leaving nothing but a few scraps of bone. Only then did the animals abandon their vigil. One by one they sloped off into the wilderness, leaving their master behind them.
Once the animals had gone, the people came. Members of the two families — Layla’s tribe and Majnun’s tribe — came to stand and weep at the grave where their dear ones lay, united at last in death. A new headstone was made, and on it were inscribed the words:
Two lovers lie sleeping in this tomb,
United at last in death’s dark womb.
Faithful in separation, true in love:
One heart, one soul in heaven above.
Copyright
Published by John Blake Publishing Ltd,
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First published in Great Britain 1997
ISBN: 978-1-85782-161-1
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© Text copyright John Blake Publishing Ltd
Words and music to ‘Layla’ by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon. © Copyright 1970, 1971 and 1997 Eric Clapton and Throat Music Ltd./Delbon Music Inc., USA. Warner/Chappell Music Ltd, 129 Park Street, London W1Y 3FA. Reproduced by permission of International Music Publications Ltd. and Music Sales Ltd. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
