این مخالف از چه‌ایم ای خواجه ما ** واز چه زاید وحدت این اعداد را
Wherefore, sire, are we thus in opposition, and wherefore does unity give birth to these numbers?
زانک ما فرعیم و چار اضداد اصل ** خوی خود در فرع کرد ایجاد اصل
Because we are the branch and the four elements are the stock: in the branch the stock has brought its own nature into existence.
گوهر جان چون ورای فصلهاست ** خوی او این نیست خوی کبریاست
(But) since the substance, (which is) the spirit, is beyond ramifications, its nature is not this (plurality); it is the nature of (the Divine) Majesty.
جنگها بین کان اصول صلحهاست ** چون نبی که جنگ او بهر خداست
Perceive that wars which are the origins of peaces are like (the war of) the Prophet whose war is for God's sake.
غالبست و چیر در هر دو جهان ** شرح این غالب نگنجد در دهان 65
He is victorious and mighty in both worlds: the description of this victor is not contained in the mouth.
آب جیحون را اگر نتوان کشید ** هم ز قدر تشنگی نتوان برید
Still, if it is impossible to drain (drink) the Oxus, one cannot deny one's self as much (water) as will slake thirst.
گر شدی عطشان بحر معنوی ** فرجه‌ای کن در جزیره‌ی مثنوی
If you are thirsting for the spiritual Ocean, make a breach in the island of the Mathnawí.
فرجه کن چندانک اندر هر نفس ** مثنوی را معنوی بینی و بس
Make such a great breach that at every moment you will see the Mathnawi to be only spiritual.
باد که را ز آب جو چون وا کند ** آب یک‌رنگی خود پیدا کند
When the wind sweeps away the straw from the (surface of) the river-water, the water displays its unicolouredness.
شاخهای تازه‌ی مرجان ببین ** میوه‌های رسته ز آب جان ببین 70
Behold the fresh branches of coral, behold the fruits grown from the water of the spirit!