Hope after Contraction

"The fourth journey is to the best of abodes, and to the greatest of advantages...
Herein is cheer for spirits and healing for bodies;
And it is like what the sincere in devotion to God crave and love,
And like what the travelers on the way to God seek and wish for-
A refreshment to eyes, and a joy to souls.
The sweetest of fruits for them that harvest.
And the most sublime of things desired and coveted;
Bringing the sick man to his physician, and guiding the lover to his beloved.
It is the grandest of gifts, and the most precious of prizes;
the renewing of the Covenant of the friendship with God,
and the easing of the difficulty of those in trouble...
It is like a full moon that has risen, and a fortune that has returned.,
exceeding the hope of the hopeful,
and providing forage for the doers of good works.
It raises expectation after depression, and expands hope after contraction.
On your account, the Mathnawi had thousands of thanksgivings to offer;
it lifted up its hands in prayer and thanksgiving...
If increase is accruing to this book, it is for this reason;
It is not for the sake of vainglory and empty noise."

Rumi (from the preface of Vol. 4, and lines 8-12)

Commentary: Welcome to Book Four. Rumi is determined to increase our hope.