این جهان زن جنگ قایم می‌بود ** در عناصر در نگر تا حل شود
This world is maintained by means of this war: consider the elements, in order that it (the difficulty) may be solved.
چار عنصر چار استون قویست ** که بدیشان سقف دنیا مستویست
The four elements are four strong pillars by which the roof of the present world is (kept) upright.
هر ستونی اشکننده‌ی آن دگر ** استن آب اشکننده‌ی آن شرر
Each pillar is a destroyer of the other: the pillar (known as) water is a destroyer of the flames (of fire).
پس بنای خلق بر اضداد بود ** لاجرم ما جنگییم از ضر و سود 50
Hence the edifice of creation is (based) upon contraries; consequently we are at war for weal and woe.
هست احوالم خلاف همدگر ** هر یکی با هم مخالف در اثر
My states (of mind and body) are mutually opposed: each one is mutually opposite in its effect.
چونک هر دم راه خود را می‌زنم ** با دگر کس سازگاری چون کنم
Since I am incessantly waylaying (struggling with) myself, how should I act in harmony with another?
موج لشکرهای احوالم ببین ** هر یکی با دیگری در جنگ و کین
Behold the surging armies of my “states,” each at war and strife with another.
می‌نگر در خود چنین جنگ گران ** پس چه مشغولی به جنگ دیگران
Contemplate the same grievous war in thyself: why, then, art thou engaged in warring with others?
یا مگر زین جنگ حقت وا خرد ** در جهان صلح یک رنگت برد 55
Or (is it because thou hast no means of escape) unless God shall redeem thee from this war and bring thee into the unicoloured world of peace?
آن جهان جز باقی و آباد نیست ** زانک آن ترکیب از اضداد نیست
That world is naught but everlasting and flourishing, because it is not composed of contraries.
این تفانی از ضد آید ضد را ** چون نباشد ضد نبود جز بقا
This reciprocal destruction is inflicted by (every) contrary on its contrary: when there is no contrary, there is naught but everlastingness.
نفی ضد کرد از بهشت آن بی‌نظیر ** که نباشد شمس و ضدش زمهریر
He (God) who hath no like banished contraries from Paradise, saying, “Neither sun nor its contrary, intense cold, shall be there.”
هست بی‌رنگی اصول رنگها ** صلحها باشد اصول جنگها
Colourlessness is the origin of colours, peaces are the origins of wars.
آن جهانست اصل این پرغم وثاق ** وصل باشد اصل هر هجر و فراق 60
That world is the origin of this dolorous abode, union is the origin of every parting and separation.
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!
چون ز حرف و صوت و دم یکتا شود ** آن همه بگذارد و دریا شود
When it (the Mathnawí) is made single (and denuded) of words and sounds and breaths, it leaves all that (behind) and becomes the (spiritual) Ocean.