Rumi's Masnavi - Meaning (to say), ‘O thou who hast become a singer to high and low, become dead like me, that thou mayst gain release.’”

Meaning (to say), ‘O thou who hast become a singer to high and low, become dead like me, that thou mayst gain release.’”

یعنی ای مطرب شده با عام و خاص ** مرده شو چون من که تا یابی خلاص‌‌

If you are a grain, the little birds will peck you up; if you are a bud, the children will pluck you off.

دانه باشی مرغکانت بر چنند ** غنچه باشی کودکانت بر کنند

Hide the grain (bait), become wholly a snare; hide the bud, become the grass on the roof.

دانه پنهان کن بکلی دام شو ** غنچه پنهان کن گیاه بام شو

Any one who offers his beauty to auction, a hundred evil fates set out towards him (and overtake him). 1835

هر که داد او حسن خود را در مزاد ** صد قضای بد سوی او رو نهاد

(Evil) eyes and angers and envies pour upon his head, like water from waterskins.

چشمها و خشمها و رشکها ** بر سرش ریزد چو آب از مشکها

Foes tear him to pieces from jealousy; even friends take his lifetime away.

دشمنان او را ز غیرت می‌‌درند ** دوستان هم روزگارش می‌‌برند

He that was heedless of the sowing and the springtide, how should he know the value of this lifetime?

آن که غافل بود از کشت بهار ** او چه داند قیمت این روزگار

You must flee to the shelter of God's grace, who shed thousand fold grace upon (our) spirits,

در پناه لطف حق باید گریخت ** کاو هزاران لطف بر ارواح ریخت‌‌

That you may find a shelter. Then how (will you lack) shelter? Water and fire will become your army. 1840

تا پناهی یابی آن گه چون پناه ** آب و آتش مر ترا گردد سپاه‌‌

Did not the sea become a friend to Noah and Moses? Did it not become overbearing in vengeance against their enemies?

نوح و موسی را نه دریا یار شد ** نه بر اعداشان به کین قهار شد