شش جهت را نور ده زین شش صحف ** کی یطوف حوله من لم یطف
From these Six Books give light to the Six Directions, in order that any one who has not performed the circumambulation may (now) perform it (round the Mathnawí).
عشق را با پنج و با شش کار نیست ** مقصد او جز که جذب یار نیست 5
Love hath naught to do with the five (senses) and the six (directions): its goal is only (to experience) the attraction exerted by the Beloved.
بوک فیما بعد دستوری رسد ** رازهای گفتنی گفته شود
Afterwards, maybe, permission will come (from God): the secrets that ought to be told will be told,
یا بیانی که بود نزدیکتر ** زین کنایات دقیق مستتر
With an eloquence that is nearer (to the understanding) than these subtle recondite allusions.
The secret is partner with none but the knower of the secret; in the sceptic's ear the secret is no secret (at all).
لیک دعوت واردست از کردگار ** با قبول و ناقبول او را چه کار
But (the command) to call (the people to God) comes down from the Maker: what has he (the prophet or saint) to do with (their) acceptance or non-acceptance?
نوح نهصد سال دعوت می‌نمود ** دم به دم انکار قومش می‌فزود 10
Noah continued to call (the people to God) for nine hundred years: the unbelief of his folk was increasing from moment to moment.
هیچ از گفتن عنان واپس کشید ** هیچ اندر غار خاموشی خزید
Did he ever pull back the rein of speech? Did he ever creep into the cave of silence?
گفت از بانگ و علالای سگان ** هیچ واگردد ز راهی کاروان
He said (to himself), “Does a caravan ever turn back from a journey on account of the noise and clamour of dogs?
یا شب مهتاب از غوغای سگ ** سست گردد بدر را در سیر تگ
Or on a night of moonlight is the running of the full-moon in its course retarded by the dog's outcry?