Rumi's Masnavi - What are words that thou shouldst think of them? What are words? Thorns in the hedge of the vineyard.

What are words that thou shouldst think of them? What are words? Thorns in the hedge of the vineyard.

حرف چه بود تا تو اندیشی از آن ** حرف چه بود خار دیوار رزان‌‌

I will throw word and sound and speech into confusion, that without these three I may converse with thee. 1730

حرف و صوت و گفت را بر هم زنم ** تا که بی‌‌این هر سه با تو دم زنم‌‌

That word which I kept hidden from Adam I will speak to thee, O (thou who art the) consciousness of the world.

آن دمی کز آدمش کردم نهان ** با تو گویم ای تو اسرار جهان‌‌

(I will tell to thee) that word which I did not communicate to Abraham, and that pain (love) which Gabriel does not know.”

آن دمی را که نگفتم با خلیل ** و آن غمی را که نداند جبرئیل‌‌

That word of which the Messiah (Jesus) breathed not a word God, from jealousy, did not utter even without má.

آن دمی کز وی مسیحا دم نزد ** حق ز غیرت نیز بی‌‌ما هم نزد

What is má in language? Positive and negative. I am not positive, I am selfless and negated.

ما چه باشد در لغت اثبات و نفی ** من نه اثباتم منم بی‌‌ذات و نفی‌‌

I found (true) individuality in non-individuality: therefore I wove (my) individuality into non-individuality. 1735

من کسی در ناکسی دریافتم ** پس کسی در ناکسی دربافتم‌‌

All kings are enslaved to their slaves, all people are dead (ready to die) for one who dies for them.

جمله شاهان بنده‌‌ی بنده‌‌ی خودند ** جمله خلقان مرده‌‌ی مرده‌‌ی خودند

All kings are prostrate before one who is prostrate before them, all people are intoxicated with (love for) one who is intoxicated with them.

جمله شاهان پست، پست خویش را ** جمله خلقان مست، مست خویش را

The fowler becomes a prey to the birds in order that of a sudden he may make them his prey.

می‌‌شود صیاد، مرغان را شکار ** تا کند ناگاه ایشان را شکار