Rumi's Masnavi - He put the ring upon his finger, the hosts of demons and peris assembled.

He put the ring upon his finger, the hosts of demons and peris assembled.

کرد در انگشت خود انگشتری ** جمع آمد لشکر دیو و پری‌‌

The men came to look, amongst them he who had the fancy (that the fisherman was Solomon in disguise).

آمدند از بهر نظاره رجال ** در میانشان آن که بد صاحب خیال‌‌

When he saw the ring on his finger, his perplexity and doubt vanished all at once.

چون در انگشتش بدید انگشتری ** رفت اندیشه و تحری یک سری‌‌

Imagination occurs (only) at the time when that (object of desire) is hidden: this searching is after the unseen. 3625

وهم آن گاه است کان پوشیده است ** این تحری از پی نادیده است‌‌

Whilst he was absent, fancy waxed strong in his breast: as soon as he was present, his fancy departed.

شد خیال غایب اندر سینه زفت ** چون که حاضر شد خیال او برفت‌‌

If the radiant sky is not without rain, neither is the dark earth without vegetation.

گر سمای نور بی‌‌باریده نیست ** هم زمین تار بی‌‌بالیده نیست‌‌

(God said), “I want (what is signified by the words) they believe in the unseen: on that account I have shut the window of the fleeting world.

يؤمنون بالغيب می‌‌باید مرا ** ز آن ببستم روزن فانی سرا

When (if) I cleave the sky manifestly, how should I say, ‘Dost thou see any clefts therein?’”

چون شکافم آسمان را در ظهور ** چون بگویم هل تری فیها فطور

In order that in this darkness they may spread (the carpet of) endeavour, they are turning, every one, their faces in some direction. 3630

تا در این ظلمت تحری گسترند ** هر کسی رو جانبی می‌‌آورند

For awhile things are reversed: the thief brings the magistrate to the gallows,

مدتی معکوس باشد کارها ** شحنه را دزد آورد بر دارها