Rumi's Masnavi - The whirling heaven, which is (ever engaged) in seeking and searching—its state is like the state of its children;

The whirling heaven, which is (ever engaged) in seeking and searching—its state is like the state of its children;

چرخ سر گردان که اندر جستجوست ** حال او چون حال فرزندان اوست‌‌

Now nadir, now middle, now zenith: therein are host on host of stars fortunate and unlucky.

گه حضیض و گه میانه گاه اوج ** اندر او از سعد و نحسی فوج فوج‌‌

From thyself, O part made up of wholes, apprehend the state of every simple (uncompounded) thing.

از خود ای جزوی ز کلها مختلط ** فهم می‌‌کن حالت هر منبسط

Inasmuch as wholes suffer grief and pain, how should their part not be pale-faced (sick and subject to decay)? 1290

چون که کلیات را رنج است و درد ** جزو ایشان چون نباشد روی زرد

Especially a part which is composed of contraries—of water and earth and fire and air.

خاصه جزوی کاو ز اضداد است جمع ** ز آب و خاک و آتش و باد است جمع‌‌

It is no wonder that the sheep recoiled from the wolf; the wonder is that this sheep set its heart on (became friendly with) the wolf.

این عجب نبود که میش از گرگ جست ** این عجب کاین میش دل در گرگ بست‌‌

Life is the peace (harmony) of contraries; death is the fact that war arose between them.

زندگانی آشتی ضدهاست ** مرگ آن کاندر میانشان جنگ خاست‌‌

The grace of God has given amity to this lion and wild-ass— these two far distant contraries.

لطف حق این شیر را و گور را ** الف داده ست این دو ضد دور را

Since the world is sick and a prisoner, what wonder if the sick one is passing away?” 1295

چون جهان رنجور و زندانی بود ** چه عجب رنجور اگر فانی بود

From this point of view he (the hare) recited counsels to the lion. “I have lagged behind,” said he, “because of these bonds.”

خواند بر شیر او از این رو پندها ** گفت من پس مانده‌‌ام زین بندها

How the lion asked the reason of the hare's drawing back.

پرسیدن شیر از سبب پای واپس کشیدن خرگوش‌‌