Rumi's Masnavi - But that which rides on it (on the sense) is not manifested save by good effects and words.

But that which rides on it (on the sense) is not manifested save by good effects and words.

لیک پیدا نیست آن راکب بر او ** جز به آثار و به گفتار نکو

The sensuous light, which is gross and heavy, is hidden in the black of the eyes.

نور حسی کاو غلیظ است و گران ** هست پنهان در سواد دیده‏گان‏

Inasmuch as you are not seeing the light of sense with (your) eye, how should you see the light of that religious one (the saint) with (your) eye?

چون که نور حس نمی‏بینی ز چشم ** چون ببینی نور آن دینی ز چشم‏

The light of sense is hidden notwithstanding this grossness: how (then) should not that radiance be hidden which is pure (and subtle)?

نور حس با این غلیظی مختفی است ** چون خفی نبود ضیایی کان صفی است‏

This world, like straws in the hand (control) of the wind (which is) the (world) unseen, is a helpless object before the power and sway of the Unseen 1300

این جهان چون خس به دست باد غیب ** عاجزی پیش گرفت و داد غیب‏

It (this control) makes it now lofty, now low; makes it now sound (and whole), now broken;

گه بلندش می‏کند گاهیش پست ** گه درستش می‏کند گاهی شکست‏

Now carries it to the right, now to the left; now makes it roses, now thorns.

گه یمینش می‏برد گاهی یسار ** گه گلستانش کند گاهیش خار

See (how) the Hand (is) hidden, while the pen is writing; the horse careering, while the Rider is invisible.

دست پنهان و قلم بین خط گزار ** اسب در جولان و ناپیدا سوار

See the arrow flying, and the Bow not in sight; the (individual) souls manifest, and the Soul of souls hidden.

تیر پران بین و ناپیدا کمان ** جانها پیدا و پنهان جان جان‏

Do not break the arrow, for it is the arrow of a King; it is not shot at long range (at random), it is from the thumb-stall of One who knows (how to hit the target). 1305

تیر را مشکن که این تیر شهی است ** تیر پرتابی ز شصت آگهی است‏