مر ترا می‌گوید آن خر خوش شنو ** گر نه‌ای خر هم‌چنین تنها مرو
That ass is saying to you (implicitly), ‘Take good heed! Don't travel alone like this, unless you are an ass!’
آنک تنها خوش رود اندر رصد ** با رفیقان بی‌گمان خوشتر رود
Beyond doubt he who cheerfully goes alone into the custom-house will go more cheerfully (when he is) with companions.
هر نبیی اندرین راه درست ** معجزه بنمود و همراهان بجست
Every prophet (that walked) on this straight road produced evidentiary miracles and sought fellow-travellers.
گر نباشد یاری دیوارها ** کی برآید خانه و انبارها
Were it not for the help given by the walls, how should houses and magazines arise?
هر یکی دیوار اگر باشد جدا ** سقف چون باشد معلق در هوا 520
If each wall be separated (from the others), how shall the roof remain suspended in the air?
گر نباشد یاری حبر و قلم ** کی فتد بر روی کاغذها رقم
If no help be given by ink and pen, how shall the writing come on to the surface of the paper?
این حصیری که کسی می‌گسترد ** گر نپیوندد به هم بادش برد
If this rush-mat which some one is spreading were not joined together (interwoven), the wind would carry it away.
حق ز هر جنسی چو زوجین آفرید ** پس نتایج شد ز جمعیت پدید
Since God created pairs of every kind, therefore (all) results are produced by means of union.”
او بگفت و او بگفت از اهتزاز ** بحثشان شد اندرین معنی دراز
He (the fowler) spoke (on one side) and it (the bird) spoke (on the other side): their debate on this subject was prolonged by the vehemence (with which they argued).
مثنوی را چابک و دلخواه کن ** ماجرا را موجز و کوتاه کن 525
Make the Mathnawí nimble and pleasing to the heart: abridge and shorten (their) controversy.