Rumi's Masnavi - “O slave,” says he, “go you and sit in the place of honour: I will take (your) shoes, like the meanest slave.

“O slave,” says he, “go you and sit in the place of honour: I will take (your) shoes, like the meanest slave.

گوید ای بنده تو رو بر صدر شین ** من بگیرم کفش چون بنده‏ی کهین‏

Treat (me) roughly and revile me; do not bestow any respect on me.

تو درشتی کن مرا دشنام ده ** مر مرا تو هیچ توقیری منه‏

I hold neglect of service to be your (proper) service, since I have sown the seed of contrivance by dwelling in a foreign land.” 1490

ترک خدمت خدمت تو داشتم ** تا به غربت تخم حیلت کاشتم‏

Masters have performed these slavish offices in order that it might be thought that they were slaves.

خواجگان این بندگیها کرده‏اند ** تا گمان آید که ایشان برده‏اند

They saw their fill of masterdom and were sated (with it): (hence) they have made ready for (doing) the work (of slaves).

چشم پر بودند و سیر از خواجگی ** کارها را کرده‏اند آمادگی‏

On the contrary, these slaves of sensuality have represented themselves as masters of intellect and spirit.

وین غلامان هوا بر عکس آن ** خویشتن بنموده خواجه‏ی عقل و جان‏

From the master (the spiritual man) comes the practice of self-abasement; from the slave (the sensual man) comes naught but slavishness.

آید از خواجه ره افکندگی ** ناید از بنده بغیر بندگی‏

So topsy-turvy, then, are the arrangements between that world and this world. Know this (for sure). 1495

پس از آن عالم بدین عالم چنان ** تعبیت‏ها هست بر عکس این بدان‏

Luqmán's master was aware of this hidden state (of Luqmán); he had seen signs (thereof) in him.

خواجه‏ی لقمان از این حال نهان ** بود واقف دیده بود از وی نشان‏

He knew the secret, (but) quietly drove his ass on that road (pursued his way) for the sake of the good (which he had in view).

راز می‏دانست و خوش می‏راند خر ** از برای مصلحت آن راهبر