Rumi's Masnavi - In order that the handmaiden may be happy in union with him, and that the water of union with him may put out the fire (of passion).”

In order that the handmaiden may be happy in union with him, and that the water of union with him may put out the fire (of passion).”

تا کنیزک در وصالش خوش شود ** آب وصلش دفع آن آتش شود

The king bestowed on him that moon-faced one and wedded those twain (who were) craving (each other's) company. 200

شه بدو بخشید آن مه روی را ** جفت کرد آن هر دو صحبت جوی را

During the space of six months they were satisfying their desire, till the girl was wholly restored to health.

مدت شش ماه می‌‌راندند کام ** تا به صحت آمد آن دختر تمام‌‌

Thereafter he prepared for him a potion, so that when he drank it he began to dwindle away before her.

بعد از آن از بهر او شربت بساخت ** تا بخورد و پیش دختر می‌‌گداخت‌‌

When because of sickness his beauty remained not, the soul of the girl remained not in his pestilence (deadly toils).

چون ز رنجوری جمال او نماند ** جان دختر در وبال او نماند

Since he became ugly and ill-favoured and sallow-cheeked, little by little he became cold (irksome and unpleasing) in her heart.

چون که زشت و ناخوش و رخ زرد شد ** اندک اندک در دل او سرد شد

Those loves which are for the sake of a colour (outward beauty) are not love: in the end they are a disgrace. 205

عشقهایی کز پی رنگی بود ** عشق نبود عاقبت ننگی بود

Would that he too had been disgrace (deformity) altogether, so that that evil judgement might not have come to pass upon him!

کاش کان هم ننگ بودی یک سری ** تا نرفتی بر وی آن بد داوری‌‌

Blood ran from his eye (that flowed with tears) like a river; his (handsome) face became the enemy of his life.

خون دوید از چشم همچون جوی او ** دشمن جان وی آمد روی او

The peacock's plumage is its enemy: O many the king who hath been slain by his magnificence!

دشمن طاوس آمد پر او ** ای بسی شه را بکشته فر او