Rumi's Masnavi - I speak low according to the measure of (their) understandings: ’tis no fault, this is the practice of the Prophet.

I speak low according to the measure of (their) understandings: ’tis no fault, this is the practice of the Prophet.

پست می‌‌گویم به اندازه‌‌ی عقول ** عیب نبود این بود کار رسول‌‌

“I am free from self-interest: hear the testimony of a freeman, for the testimony of slaves is not worth two barleycorns.”

از غرض حرم گواهی حر شنو ** که گواهی بندگان نه ارزد دو جو

In the religious law the testimony of a slave has no value at the time of litigation and judgement.

در شریعت مر گواهی بنده را ** نیست قدری وقت دعوی و قضا

(Even) if thousands of slaves bear witness on thy behalf, the law does not assign to them the weight of a straw.

گر هزاران بنده باشندت گواه ** بر نسنجد شرع ایشان را به کاه‌‌

In God's sight the slave of lust is worse than menials and slaves brought into servitude, 3815

بنده‌‌ی شهوت بتر نزدیک حق ** از غلام و بندگان مسترق‌‌

For the latter becomes free at a single word from his master, while the former lives sweet but dies exceedingly bitter.

کاین به یک لفظی شود از خواجه حر ** و آن زید شیرین و میرد سخت مر

The slave of lust hath no (means of) release at all except through the grace of God and His special favour.

بنده‌‌ی شهوت ندارد خود خلاص ** جز به فضل ایزد و انعام خاص‌‌

He has fallen into a pit that has no bottom, and that is his (own) sin: it is not (Divine) compulsion and injustice.

در چهی افتاد کان را غور نیست ** و آن گناه اوست جبر و جور نیست‌‌

He has cast himself into such a pit that I find no rope capable of (reaching) its bottom.

در چهی انداخت او خود را که من ** در خور قعرش نمی‌‌یابم رسن‌‌

I will make an end. If this discourse go further, not only hearts but rocks will bleed. 3820

بس کنم گر این سخن افزون شود ** خود جگر چه بود که خارا خون شود