Rumi's Masnavi - So that we were arguing (and saying), ‘O God, who will come in our stead?

So that we were arguing (and saying), ‘O God, who will come in our stead?

تا که حجتها همی‌‌گفتیم ما ** که بجای ما کی آید ای خدا

Wilt Thou sell the splendour of the praise with which we glorify and magnify Thee for babble and palaver?’

نور این تسبیح و این تهلیل را ** می‌‌فروشی بهر قال و قیل را

The decree of God spread for us the carpet (of indulgence), (and He said), ‘Speak ye, in the way of boldness 2670

حکم حق گسترد بهر ما بساط ** که بگویید از طریق انبساط

(And) without fear, whatever comes upon your tongues, like only children with their father;

هر چه آید بر زبانتان بی‌‌حذر ** همچو طفلان یگانه با پدر

For what if these words (of yours) are unseemly? My mercy likewise is prior (superior) to My wrath.

ز آن که این دمها چه گر نالایق است ** رحمت من بر غضب هم سابق است‌‌

In order to manifest this priority, O angel, I will put in thee incitement to perplexity and doubt,

از پی اظهار این سبق ای ملک ** در تو بنهم داعیه‌‌ی اشکال و شک‌‌

That thou mayst speak and I not take offence at thee, (so that) none who denies My clemency may dare to utter a word.

تا بگویی و نگیرم بر تو من ** منکر حلمم نیارد دم زدن‌‌

Within My (infinite) clemency (the clemencies of) a hundred fathers and a hundred mothers at every moment are born and vanish. 2675

صد پدر صد مادر اندر حلم ما ** هر نفس زاید در افتد در فنا

Their clemency is (but) the foam of the sea of My clemency: the foam comes and goes, but the sea is (always) there.’’

حلم ایشان کف بحر حلم ماست ** کف رود آید ولی دریا به جاست‌‌

What indeed shall I say? Compared with that pearl (Divine clemency) this oyster-shell (human clemency) is naught but the foam of the foam of the foam of foam.

خود چه گویم پیش آن در این صدف ** نیست الا کف کف کف کف‌‌