Rumi's Masnavi - Become scant of sleep (like them that) were slumbering (but a small part of the night); in the hours of dawn be of (those who) were asking pardon of God.

Become scant of sleep (like them that) were slumbering (but a small part of the night); in the hours of dawn be of (those who) were asking pardon of God.

شو قلیل النوم مما یهجعون ** باش در اسحار از یستغفرون‌‌

Stir a little, like the embryo, in order that thou mayst be given the senses which behold the Light, 3180

اندکی جنبش بکن همچون جنین ** تا ببخشندت حواس نور بین‌‌

And mayst go forth from this womb-like world and mayst go from the earth into a wide expanse.

وز جهان چون رحم بیرون روی ** از زمین در عرصه‌‌ی واسع شوی‌‌

Know that the saying, “God's earth is wide,” refers to an exceedingly sublime expanse belonging to the prophets.

آن که ارض الله واسع گفته‌‌اند ** عرصه‌‌ای دان کانبیا در رفته‌‌اند

The heart is not oppressed by that spacious expanse: there the fresh boughs of the palm-tree do not become dry.

دل نگردد تنگ ز آن عرصه‌‌ی فراخ ** نخل تر آن جا نگردد خشک شاخ‌‌

At present thou art bearing (the burden of) thy senses: thou art becoming weary and exhausted and (ready to fall) headlong.

حاملی تو مر حواست را کنون ** کند و مانده می‌‌شوی و سر نگون‌‌

Since, at the time of sleep, thou art borne (on high), and art not bearing (the burden), thy fatigue is gone and thou art free from pain and anguish. 3185

چون که محمولی نه حامل وقت خواب ** ماندگی رفت و شدی بی‌‌رنج و تاب‌‌

Regard the time of sleep as a (mere) taste (sample) in comparison with the state in which the saints are borne (on high).

چاشنیی دان تو حال خواب را ** پیش محمولی حال اولیا

The saints are (like) the Men of the Cave, O obstinate one: they are asleep (even) in rising up and turning to and fro.

اولیا اصحاب کهفند ای عنود ** در قیام و در تقلب هم رقود

He (God) is drawing them, without their taking trouble to act, without consciousness (on their part), to the right hand and to the left.

می‌‌کشدشان بی‌‌تکلف در فعال ** بی‌‌خبر ذات الیمین ذات الشمال‌‌