Rumi's Masnavi - This subject hath no end. ’Tis late. Hearken (now) to the story of the hare and the lion.

This subject hath no end. ’Tis late. Hearken (now) to the story of the hare and the lion.

این سخن پایان ندارد گشت دیر ** گوش کن تو قصه‌‌ی خرگوش و شیر

How the hare drew back from the lion when he approached the well.

پای واپس کشیدن خرگوش از شیر چون نزدیک چاه رسید

When the lion came near the well, he saw that the hare lagged on the way and stepped back.

چون که نزد چاه آمد شیر دید ** کز ره آن خرگوش ماند و پا کشید

He said, “Why have you stepped back? Do not step back, come on!”

گفت پا واپس کشیدی تو چرا ** پای را واپس مکش پیش اندر آ

The hare said, “Where is my (power to move a) foot? for (both) hand and foot are gone. My soul trembles and my heart (courage) has fled. 1265

گفت کو پایم که دست و پای رفت ** جان من لرزید و دل از جای رفت‌‌

Seest thou not the colour of my face (pale) as gold? My colour indeed is giving knowledge of my inward state.

رنگ رویم را نمی‌‌بینی چو زر ** ز اندرون خود می‌‌دهد رنگم خبر

Since God has called the (external) sign (aspect) informative, the eye of the gnostic has remained turned towards the sign.

حق چو سیما را معرف خوانده است ** چشم عارف سوی سیما مانده است‌‌

Colour and scent are significant like a bell: the neigh of a horse makes (one) acquainted with the horse.

رنگ و بو غماز آمد چون جرس ** از فرس آگه کند بانگ فرس‌‌

The sound made by any thing conveys knowledge of it, so that you may distinguish the bray of an ass from the creak of a door.

بانگ هر چیزی رساند زو خبر ** تا بدانی بانگ خر از بانگ در

Touching the discrimination of persons (one from another), the Prophet said, ‘A man is hidden when his tongue is folded up.’ 1270

گفت پیغمبر به تمییز کسان ** مرء مخفی لدی طی اللسان‌‌

The colour of the face indicates the state of the heart: have pity on me, implant love of me in thy heart.

رنگ رو از حال دل دارد نشان ** رحمتم کن مهر من در دل نشان‌‌