Rumi's Masnavi - I am mute, like Bú Bakr-i Rabábí; I handle the iron, like David,

I am mute, like Bú Bakr-i Rabábí; I handle the iron, like David,

همچو بو بکر ربابی تن زنم ** دست چون داود در آهن زنم‏

So that by my hand the (seemingly) impossible is brought to pass, and wings are restored to the bird whose plumes were torn away.

تا محال از دست من حالی شود ** مرغ پر برکنده را بالی شود

Since there is (the text) the hand of God is above their hands, the One (God) has declared our hand to be His hand.

چون ید الله فوق أیدیهم بود ** دست ما را دست خود فرمود احد

Therefore mine is surely a long hand that has passed beyond the Seventh Heaven.

پس مرا دست دراز آمد یقین ** بر گذشته ز آسمان هفتمین‏

My hand showed (its) cunning upon the sky: O teacher of the Qur’án, recite the moon hath been cleft asunder.’ 1920

دست من بنمود بر گردون هنر ** مقریا بر خوان که انشق القمر

This characteristic, moreover, is on account of the weakness of (men's) understandings: how is it possible to explain the (Divine) omnipotence to the weak?

این صفت هم بهر ضعف عقلهاست ** با ضعیفان شرح قدرت کی رواست‏

You will surely know when you lift your head from (this sensuous) sleep. ’Tis the end (of my discourse), and God knows best what is right.

خود بدانی چون بر آری سر ز خواب ** ختم شد و الله أعلم بالصواب‏

“(If I had told you about the snake), you would not have been able to eat, nor would you have been capable of vomiting or cared (to do so).

مر ترا نه قوت خوردن بدی ** نه ره و پروای قی کردن بدی‏

I heard (your) abuse and went on with my work; I kept repeating under my lip (breath), ‘O Lord, make (it) easy!’

می‏شنیدم فحش و خر می‏راندم ** رب یسر زیر لب می‏خواندم‏

I had not permission to speak of the cause, and I had not power to abandon you. 1925

از سبب گفتن مرا دستور نه ** ترک تو گفتن مرا مقدور نه‏