Rumi's Masnavi - The more thirsty any one on the top of the wall is, the more quickly does he tear off the bricks and turfs.

The more thirsty any one on the top of the wall is, the more quickly does he tear off the bricks and turfs.

بر سر دیوار هر کاو تشنه‏تر ** زودتر بر می‏کند خشت و مدر

The more any one is in love with the noise of the water, the bigger clods does he tear away from the barrier.

هر که عاشق تر بود بر بانگ آب ** او کلوخ زفت تر کند از حجاب‏

He, at the noise of the water, is filled with wine (ecstasy) up to the neck, (while) the stranger (to love) hears nothing but the sound of the splash.

او ز بانگ آب پر می تا عنق ** نشنود بیگانه جز بانگ بلق‏

Oh, blest is he that deems his early days an opportunity to be seized, and pays his debt— 1215

ای خنک آن را که او ایام پیش ** مغتنم دارد گزارد وام خویش‏

In the days when he has the power, (when) he has health and strength of heart and vigour,

اندر آن ایام کش قدرت بود ** صحت و زور دل و قوت بود

And (when) that season of youth, like a garden green and fresh, is bringing (to ripeness) produce and fruit without any stint;

و آن جوانی همچو باغ سبز و تر ** می‏رساند بی‏دریغی بار و بر

(When) the fountains of strength and lust (are) flowing, (so that) thereby the soil of the body is made verdant;

چشمه‏های قوت و شهوت روان ** سبز می‏گردد زمین تن بدان‏

(When he is still like) a well-kept house, with its roof very lofty, its sides (walls) symmetrical, without buttressing and clamps—

خانه‏ی معمور و سقفش بس بلند ** معتدل ارکان و بی‏تخلیط و بند

Ere the days of eld arrive and bind your neck with a halter of palm-fibres; 1220

پیش از آن که ایام پیری در رسد ** گردنت بندد به حبل من مسد

(Ere) the soil becomes nitrous (barren), crumbling, and poor —never did good herbage grow from nitrous soil;

خاک شوره گردد و ریزان و سست ** هرگز از شوره نبات خوش نرست‏