Rumi's Masnavi - For this cause I have put the sword in sheath, that none who misreads may read contrariwise (in a sense contrary to the true meaning of my words).

For this cause I have put the sword in sheath, that none who misreads may read contrariwise (in a sense contrary to the true meaning of my words).

زین سبب من تیغ کردم در غلاف ** تا که کج خوانی نخواند بر خلاف‌‌

We come (now) to complete the tale and (speak) of the loyalty of the multitude of the righteous,

آمدیم اندر تمامی داستان ** وز وفاداری جمع راستان‌‌

Who rose up after (the death of) this leader, demanding a vicar in his place. 695

کز پس این پیشوا برخاستند ** بر مقامش نایبی می‌‌خواستند

The quarrel of the amírs concerning the succession.

منازعت امرا در ولیعهدی

One of those amírs advanced and went before that loyal-minded people.

یک امیری ز آن امیران پیش رفت ** پیش آن قوم وفا اندیش رفت‌‌

“Behold,” said he, “I am that man's vicar: I am the vicar of Jesus at the present time.

گفت اینک نایب آن مرد من ** نایب عیسی منم اندر زمن‌‌

Look, this scroll is my proof that after him the vicarate belongs to me.”

اینک این طومار برهان من است ** کاین نیابت بعد از او آن من است‌‌

Another amír came forth from ambush: his pretension regarding the vicegerency was the same;

آن امیر دیگر آمد از کمین ** دعوی او در خلافت بد همین‌‌

He too produced a scroll from under his arm, so that in both (amírs) there arose the Jewish anger. 700

از بغل او نیز طوماری نمود ** تا بر آمد هر دو را خشم جهود

The rest of the amírs, one after another, drawing swords of keen mettle,

آن امیران دگر یک یک قطار ** بر کشیده تیغهای آب دار

Each with a sword and a scroll in his hand, fell to combat like raging elephants.

هر یکی را تیغ و طوماری به دست ** درهم‌‌افتادند چون پیلان مست‌‌