Rumi's Masnavi - And Winter is the allegorical crucifixion, to the end that thou, O hidden thief, mayst be exposed.

And Winter is the allegorical crucifixion, to the end that thou, O hidden thief, mayst be exposed. 2960

و آن زمستان چار میخ معنوی ** تا تو ای دزد خفی ظاهر شوی‏

Then (again), he that wages the (spiritual) warfare has at one time (joyous) expansion of heart, at another time (grievous) oppression and pain and torment,

پس مجاهد را زمانی بسط دل ** یک زمانی قبض و درد و غش و غل‏

Because this water and clay, which is (the stuff of) our bodies, is the denier (enemy) and thief of the light of (our) souls.

ز انکه این آب و گلی کابدان ماست ** منکر و دزد و ضیای جان ماست‏

The High God lays upon our body, O man of fortitude, heat and cold and grief and pain,

حق تعالی گرم و سرد و رنج و درد ** بر تن ما می‏نهد ای شیر مرد

Fear and hunger and impairment of wealth and body—all for the sake of the soul's coin being brought into sight (and use).

خوف و جوع و نقص اموال و بدن ** جمله بهر نقد جان ظاهر شدن‏

These threats and promises He hath sent forth on account of this good and evil which He hath mingled. 2965

این وعید و وعده‏ها انگیخته ست ** بهر این نیک و بدی کامیخته ست‏

Inasmuch as truth and falsehood have been mingled, and the good and bad coin have been poured into the travelling-bag,

چون که حق و باطلی آمیختند ** نقد و قلب اندر حرمدان ریختند

Therefore they need a picked touchstone, one that has undergone (many) tests in (assaying) realities,

پس محک می‏بایدش بگزیده‏ای ** در حقایق امتحانها دیده‏ای‏

So that it may become a criterion for these impostures; so that it may be a standard for these acts of providence.

تا شود فاروق این تزویرها ** تا بود دستور این تدبیرها

Give him milk, O mother of Moses, and cast him into the water: be not afraid of (putting him to) the trial.

شیر ده ای مادر موسی و را ** و اندر آب افکن میندیش از بلا