Rumi's Masnavi - But if Thou willest neither this nor that, ’tis Thine to command: how should any one know what Thou intendest?

But if Thou willest neither this nor that, ’tis Thine to command: how should any one know what Thou intendest?

ور نه این خواهی نه آن فرمان تراست ** کس چه داند مر ترا مقصد کجاست‏

One must needs have the spirit of Abraham to see in the fire Paradise and its palaces by the light (of mystic knowledge);

جان ابراهیم باید تا به نور ** بیند اندر نار فردوس و قصور

And mount step by step above the moon and the sun, lest he remain like the door-ring fastened on the door;

پایه پایه بر رود بر ماه و خور ** تا نماند همچو حلقه بند در

And, like the Friend, pass beyond the Seventh Heaven, saying, “I love not them that set.”

چون خلیل از آسمان هفتمین ** بگذرد که لا أحب الآفلین‏

This bodily world is deceptive, save to him that has escaped from lust. 1560

این جهان تن غلط انداز شد ** جز مر آن را کاو ز شهوت باز شد

Conclusion of (the story) how the (other) retainers envied the favourite slave.

تتمه‏ی حسد آن حشم بر آن غلام خاص‏

The story of the King and the amirs and their envy of the favourite slave and lord of wisdom

قصه‏ی شاه و امیران و حسد ** بر غلام خاص و سلطان خرد

Has been left far (behind) on account of the powerful attraction of the discourse.(Now) we must turn back and conclude it.

دور ماند از جر جرار کلام ** باز باید گشت و کرد آن را تمام‏

The happy and fortunate gardener of the (Divine) kingdom — how should not he know one tree from another?

باغبان ملک با اقبال و بخت ** چون درختی را نداند از درخت‏

The tree that is bitter and reprobate, and the tree whose one is (as) seven hundred (of the other)—

آن درختی را که تلخ و رد بود ** و آن درختی که یکش هفصد بود

How, in rearing (them), should he deem (them) equal, when he beholds them with the eye (that is conscious) of the end, 1565

کی برابر دارد اندر تربیت ** چون ببیندشان به چشم عاقبت‏