Rumi's Masnavi - Unless thou believe in him from his exterior aspect (accept him in the form in which he appears), thou wilt not hear from him the lions' roar.

Unless thou believe in him from his exterior aspect (accept him in the form in which he appears), thou wilt not hear from him the lions' roar.

گر ز روی صورتش می‌‌نگروی ** غره‌‌ی شیران از او می‌‌نشنوی‌‌

Unless Noah had had a hand (a powerful aid) from God, why should he have cast a whole world into confusion?

گر نبودی نوح را از حق یدی ** پس جهانی را چرا بر هم زدی‌‌

He was hundreds of thousands of lions in a single body; he was like fire, and the world (like) a stack. 3130

صد هزاران شیر بود او در تنی ** او چو آتش بود و عالم خرمنی‌‌

Forasmuch as the stack neglected (to pay) the tithe due to him, he launched such a flame against that stack.

چون که خرمن پاس عشر او نداشت ** او چنان شعله بر آن خرمن گماشت‌‌

Whosoever in the presence of this hidden Lion opens his mouth disrespectfully, like the wolf,

هر که او در پیش این شیر نهان ** بی‌‌ادب چون گرگ بگشاید دهان‌‌

That Lion will tear him to pieces, as (he tore) the wolf, and will recite to him (the text) So we took vengeance upon them.

همچو گرگ آن شیر بردراندش ** فانتقمنا منهم بر خواندش‌‌

He will suffer blows, like the wolf, from the Lion's paw: foolish is he that waxed bold in the presence of the Lion.

زخم یابد همچو گرگ از دست شیر ** پیش شیر ابله بود کاو شد دلیر

Would that those blows fell upon the body, so that it might be that (the sinner's) faith and heart would be safe! 3135

کاشکی آن زخم بر تن آمدی ** تا بدی کایمان و دل سالم بدی‌‌

My power is broken (fails me) on reaching this point: how can I declare this mystery?

قوتم بگسست چون اینجا رسید ** چون توانم کرد این سر را پدید

Make little of your bellies, like that fox: do not play fox's tricks in His presence.

همچو آن روبه کم اشکم کنید ** پیش او روباه بازی کم کنید