If in counselling (me) ye have become (as) Gabriel, (yet) Khalíl (Abraham) will not crave succour in the fire.
جبرئیلا رو که من افروخته ** بهترم چون عود و عنبر سوخته
Begone, O (thou who art like) Gabriel, for, having been kindled (with the flame of love), I, like aloes-wood and ambergris, am better (when) burnt.
جبرئیلا گر چه یاری می‌کنی ** چون برادر پاس داری می‌کنی
O Gabriel, although thou art helping and guarding (me) like a brother,
ای برادر من بر آذر چابکم ** من نه آن جانم که گردم بیش و کم
(Yet), O brother, I am eager for the fire: I am not that (animal) spirit, that I should become more and (then) less.”
جان حیوانی فزاید از علف ** آتشی بود و چو هیزم شد تلف
The animal spirit is increased by fodder: it (the animal spirit) was a fire and was consumed like firewood.
گر نگشتی هیزم او مثمر بدی ** تا ابد معمور و هم عامر بدی4220
Had it not become firewood, it would have been fruitful: it would have prospered unto everlasting and would have caused prosperity.
باد سوزانت این آتش بدان ** پرتو آتش بود نه عین آن
Know that this fire is a burning wind: it is a ray of fire, not the essence thereof.
عین آتش در اثیر آمد یقین ** پرتو و سایه‌ی ویست اندر زمین
Assuredly the essence of fire is in the aether: on the earth there is (only) its ray and shadow (reflexion).
لاجرم پرتو نپاید ز اضطراب ** سوی معدن باز می‌گردد شتاب
Of necessity, the ray, on account of quivering, does not endure: it is speedily returning to its source.
قامت تو بر قرار آمد بساز ** سایه‌ات کوته دمی یکدم دراز
Your stature is normally invariable, (but) your shadow is now short, now long.
زانک در پرتو نیابد کس ثبات ** عکسها وا گشت سوی امهات4225
Inasmuch as no one finds permanence in the ray, (all) the reflexions return to (their) origins.
هین دهان بر بند فتنه لب گشاد ** خشک آر الله اعلم بالرشاد
Hark, close thy mouth: Mischief has opened its lips. Dry up! God best knoweth the right way.
ذکرخیال بد اندیشیدن قاصر فهمان
Account of the conception of evil fancies by those deficient in understanding.
پیش از آنک این قصه تا مخلص رسد ** دود و گندی آمد از اهل حسد
Ere this tale reaches the conclusion, there comes from the envious a vapour of stench.
من نمی‌رنجم ازین لیک این لگد ** خاطر ساده‌دلی را پی کند
I am not pained by it, but this kick may break the nerve of a simple-hearted man's mind.
خوش بیان کرد آن حکیم غزنوی ** بهر محجوبان مثال معنوی
Well did the Sage of Ghazna set forth the (following) spiritual parable for the sake of those who are veiled (from perception of the truth),
که ز قرآن گر نبیند غیر قال ** این عجب نبود ز اصحاب ضلال4230
(Saying) that if one see in the Qur’án naught but words, this is not surprising on the part of them that have lost the (right) way,
کز شعاع آفتاب پر ز نور ** غیر گرمی می‌نیابد چشم کور
Since the eye of the blind is sensible of naught but heat from the beams of the luminous sun.
خربطی ناگاه از خرخانه‌ای ** سر برون آورد چون طعانه‌ای
Suddenly a great booby popped his head out of an ass-stable, like a railing woman,
کین سخن پستست یعنی مثنوی ** قصه پیغامبرست و پی‌روی
(Saying) that this discourse, namely, the Mathnawí, is low; (that) it is the story of the Prophet and (consists of) imitation;
نیست ذکر بحث و اسرار بلند ** که دوانند اولیا آن سو سمند
(That) there is no mention of (theosophical) investigation and the sublime mysteries towards which the saints make their steeds gallop;
از مقامات تبتل تا فنا ** پایه پایه تا ملاقات خدا4235
(That) from the stations of asceticism to the passing away (from self-existence), step by step up to union with God,
شرح و حد هر مقام و منزلی ** که بپر زو بر پرد صاحب‌دلی
(It contains not) the explanation and definition of every station and stage, so that by means of the wings thereof a man of heart (a mystic) should soar.
چون کتاب الله بیامد هم بر آن ** این چنین طعنه زدند آن کافران
When the Book of God (the Qur’án) came (down), the unbelievers railed likewise at it too,
که اساطیرست و افسانه‌ی نژند ** نیست تعمیقی و تحقیقی بلند
Saying, “It is (mere) legends and paltry tales; there is no profound inquiry and lofty speculation;
کودکان خرد فهمش می‌کنند ** نیست جز امر پسند و ناپسند
The little children understand it; ’tis naught but things approved and disapproved—