Rumi's Masnavi - He asked, “How wert thou in regard to the prison and the well?” “Like the moon,” said Joseph, “in the interlunar period (when she is) on the wane.”

He asked, “How wert thou in regard to the prison and the well?” “Like the moon,” said Joseph, “in the interlunar period (when she is) on the wane.”

گفت چون بودی ز زندان و ز چاه ** گفت همچون در محاق و کاست ماه‌‌

If in that period the new moon is bent double, does not she at last become the full moon in the sky?

در محاق ار ماه نو گردد دو تا ** نی در آخر بدر گردد بر سما

Though the seed-pearl is pounded in the mortar, it becomes the light of eye and heart and looks aloft.

گر چه دردانه به هاون کوفتند ** نور چشم و دل شد و بیند بلند

They cast a grain of wheat under earth, then from its earth they raised up ears of corn; 3165

گندمی را زیر خاک انداختند ** پس ز خاکش خوشه‌‌ها بر ساختند

Once more they crushed it with the mill: its value increased and it became soul invigorating bread;

بار دیگر کوفتندش ز آسیا ** قیمتش افزود و نان شد جان فزا

Again they crushed the bread under their teeth: it became the mind and spirit and understanding of one endowed with reason;

باز نان را زیر دندان کوفتند ** گشت عقل و جان و فهم هوشمند

Again, when that spirit became lost in Love, it became (as that which) rejoiceth the sowers after the sowing.

باز آن جان چون که محو عشق گشت ** يعجب الزراع آمد بعد کشت‌‌

This discourse hath no end. Come back, that we may see what that good man said to Joseph.

این سخن پایان ندارد باز گرد ** تا که با یوسف چه گفت آن نیک مرد

After he (Joseph) had told him his story, he (Joseph) said, “Now, O so-and-so, what traveller's gift hast thou brought for me?” 3170

بعد قصه گفتنش گفت ای فلان ** هین چه آوردی تو ما را ارمغان‌‌

O youth, he who is empty-handed at the door of friends is like a man without wheat in the mill.

بر در یاران تهی دست ای فتی ** هست چون بی‌‌گندمی در آسیا