روز و شب ظاهر دو ضد و دشمنند ** لیک هر دو یک حقیقت می‌تنند
Day and night, outwardly, are two contraries and enemies, but they both attend on one truth—
هر یکی خواهان دگر را همچو خویش ** از پی تکمیل فعل و کار خویش
Each desiring the other, like kinsfolk, for the sake of perfecting their action and work.
زانک بی شب دخل نبود طبع را ** پس چه اندر خرج آرد روزها4420
(Both serve one purpose) because, without night, the nature (of man) would receive no income: what, then, should the days expend?
جذب هر عنصری جنس خود را کی در ترکیب آدمی محتبس شده است به غیر جنس
How each element attracts its congener that has been imprisoned in the human constitution by the non-homogeneous (elements).
خاک گوید خاک تن را باز گرد ** ترک جان کن سوی ما آ همچو گرد
Earth says to the earth of the body, “Return! Take leave of the spirit, come to me like the dust.
جنس مایی پیش ما اولیتری ** به که زان تن وا رهی و زان تری
Thou art my congener, thou art more suited (to be) with me: ’tis better that thou shouldst escape from that body and that moisture.”
گوید آری لیک من پابسته‌ام ** گرچه همچون تو ز هجران خسته‌ام
It answers, “Yes; but I am fettered, although like thee I am weary of separation.”
تری تن را بجویند آبها ** کای تری باز آ ز غربت سوی ما
The waters seek the moisture of the body, saying, “O moisture, come back to us from exile.”
گرمی تن را همی‌خواند اثیر ** که ز ناری راه اصل خویش گیر4425
The aether is calling the heat of the body, saying, “Thou art of fire: take the way to thy origin.”
هست هفتاد و دو علت در بدن ** از کششهای عناصر بی رسن
There are two-and-seventy diseases in the body, (caused) by the elements pulling without cord.
علت آید تا بدن را بسکلد ** تا عناصر همدگر را وا هلد
Disease comes to shatter the body, so that the elements may abandon each other.
چار مرغ‌اند این عناصر بسته‌پا ** مرگ و رنجوری و علت پاگشا
These elements are four birds with their legs tied (together): death and sickness and disease loose their legs.
پایشان از همدگر چون باز کرد ** مرغ هر عنصر یقین پرواز کرد
When it (death) has released their legs from one another, assuredly every bird-element flies away.
جذبه‌ی این اصلها و فرعها ** هر دمی رنجی نهد در جسم ما4430
The pull between these originals and derivatives continually implants some pain in our bodies,
تا که این ترکیبها را بر درد ** مرغ هر جزوی به اصل خود پرد
In order that it may rend these coalitions asunder (and that) each part, like a bird, may fly to its home;
حکمت حق مانع آید زین عجل ** جمعشان دارد بصحت تا اجل
(But) Divine Providence hinders them from this hastening and keeps them together in health till the appointed term,
گوید ای اجزا اجل مشهود نیست ** پر زدن پیش از اجلتان سود نیست
And says, “O parts, the term is not certainly known (to you): ’tis useless for you to take wing before the term.”
چونک هر جزوی بجوید ارتفاق ** چون بود جان غریب اندر فراق
Inasmuch as every part (of the body) seeks support, what must be the state of the soul, a stranger, in separation (from its home)?
منجذب شدن جان نیز به عالم ارواح و تقاضای او و میل او به مقر خود و منقطع شدن از اجزای اجسام کی هم کنده‌ی پای باز روح‌اند
How likewise the soul is drawn to the world of spirits, and how it craves and desires its home, and becomes severed from the bodily parts which are a fetter on the leg of the spiritual falcon.
گوید ای اجزای پست فرشیم ** غربت من تلختر من عرشیم4435
It (the soul) says, “O my base earthly parts, my exile is more bitter (than yours): I am celestial.”
میل تن در سبزه و آب روان ** زان بود که اصل او آمد از آن
The desire of the body for green herbs and running water is because its origin is from those;
میل جان اندر حیات و در حی است ** زانک جان لامکان اصل وی است
The desire of the soul is for Life and for the Living One, because its origin is the Infinite Soul.
میل جان در حکمتست و در علوم ** میل تن در باغ و راغست و کروم
The desire of the soul is for wisdom and the sciences; the desire of the body is for orchards and meadows and vines.
میل جان اندر ترقی و شرف ** میل تن در کسب و اسباب علف
That exaltedness too hath desire and love towards the soul: from this (fact) understand (the meaning of) He loves them and they love (Him).
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.