میل و عشق آن شرف هم سوی جان ** زین یحب را و یحبون را بدان4440
That exaltedness too hath desire and love towards the soul: from this (fact) understand (the meaning of) He loves them and they love (Him).
حاصل آنک هر که او طالب بود ** جان مطلوبش درو راغب بود
If I explain this, ’twill be endless: the Mathnawí will amount to eighty volumes.
گر بگویم شرح این بی حد شود ** مثنوی هشتاد تا کاغذ شود
The gist is that whenever any one seeks, the soul of the object sought by him is desiring him.
آدمی حیوان نباتی و جماد ** هر مرادی عاشق هر بی‌مراد
(Whether it be) man, animal, plant, or mineral, every object of desire is in love with everything that is without (has not attained to) the object of desire.
بی‌مرادان بر مرادی می‌تنند ** و آن مرادان جذب ایشان می‌کنند
Those who are without their object of desire attach themselves to an object of desire, and those desired ones draw them (on);
لیک میل عاشقان لاغر کند ** میل معشوقان خوش و خوش‌فر کند4445
But the desire of the lovers makes them lean, (while) the desire of the loved ones makes them fair and beauteous.
عشق معشوقان دو رخ افروخته ** عشق عاشق جان او را سوخته
The love of the loved ones illumines the cheeks; the love of the lover consumes his soul.
کهربا عاشق به شکل بی‌نیاز ** کاه می‌کوشد در آن راه دراز
The amber loves (the straw) with the appearance of wanting naught, (while) the straw is making efforts (to advance) on that long road.
این رها کن عشق آن تشنه‌دهان ** تافت اندر سینه‌ی صدر جهان
Leave this (topic). The love of that thirsty-mouthed man shone (was reflected) in the breast of the Sadr-i Jahán.
دود آن عشق و غم آتش‌کده ** رفته در مخدوم او مشفق شده
The smoke of the love and pain of the fire-temple (his burning heart) entered his lord (and) turned into compassion.