Rumi's Masnavi - The Greeks said, “No tints and pictures are proper for our work, (nothing is needed) except to remove the rust.”

The Greeks said, “No tints and pictures are proper for our work, (nothing is needed) except to remove the rust.”

رومیان گفتند نی نقش و نه رنگ ** در خور آید کار را جز دفع زنگ‌‌

They shut the door and went on burnishing: they became clear and pure like the sky. 3475

در فرو بستند و صیقل می‌‌زدند ** همچو گردون ساده و صافی شدند

There is a way from many-colouredness to colourlessness: colour is like the clouds, and colourlessness is a moon.

از دو صد رنگی به بی‌‌رنگی رهی است ** رنگ چون ابر است و بی‌‌رنگی مهی است‌‌

Whatsoever light and splendour you see in the clouds, know that it comes from the stars and the moon and the sun.

هر چه اندر ابر ضو بینی و تاب ** آن ز اختر دان و ماه و آفتاب‌‌

When the Chinese had finished their work, they were beating drums for joy.

چینیان چون از عمل فارغ شدند ** از پی شادی دهلها می‌‌زدند

The King entered and saw the pictures there: that (sight) was robbing him of his wits and understanding.

شه در آمد دید آن جا نقشها ** می‌‌ربود آن عقل را و فهم را

After that, he came towards the Greeks: they drew up the intervening curtain. 3480

بعد از آن آمد به سوی رومیان ** پرده را بالا کشیدند از میان‌‌

The reflexion of those (Chinese) pictures and works (of art) struck upon these walls which had been made pure (from stain).

عکس آن تصویر و آن کردارها ** زد بر این صافی شده دیوارها

All that he had seen there (in the Chinese room) seemed more beautiful here: ’twas snatching the eye from the socket.

هر چه آن جا دید اینجا به نمود ** دیده را از دیده خانه می‌‌ربود

The Greeks, O father, are the Súfís: (they are) without (independent of) study and books and erudition,

رومیان آن صوفیانند ای پدر ** بی‌‌ز تکرار و کتاب و بی‌‌هنر