Rumi's Masnavi - Give ear heedfully to these (sayings), O squinting one: apply the eye-salve by way of the ear.

Give ear heedfully to these (sayings), O squinting one: apply the eye-salve by way of the ear. 315

گوش دار ای احول اینها را به هوش ** داروی دیده بکش از راه گوش‏

Holy words, then, do not abide in blind hearts, (but) go to the Light whence they came,

پس کلام پاک در دلهای کور ** می‏نپاید می‏رود تا اصل نور

While the (guileful) spell of the Devil goes into crooked (perverse) hearts as a crooked shoe on to a crooked foot.

و آن فسون دیو در دلهای کژ ** می‏رود چون کفش کژ در پای کژ

Though you may learn Wisdom by rote, it becomes quit of you when you are unworthy (to receive it);

گر چه حکمت را به تکرار آوری ** چون تو نااهلی شود از تو بری‏

And though you write it and note it (down), and though you brag (about it) and expound it,

ور چه بنویسی نشانش می‏کنی ** ور چه می‏لافی بیانش می‏کنی‏

It withdraws its face from you, O disputatious one: it snaps its bonds and (takes) flight from you. 320

او ز تو رو در کشد ای پر ستیز ** بندها را بگسلد وز تو گریز

(But) if you read not and it sees your ardour (of love), Knowledge will be a bird docile (and obedient) to your hand.

ور نخوانی و ببیند سوز تو ** علم باشد مرغ دست‏آموز تو

It does not abide with every unskilled tiro: (it is) like a peacock (which does not stay) in the house of a peasant.

او نپاید پیش هر نااوستا ** همچو طاوسی به خانه‏ی روستا

How the King found his falcon in the house of a decrepit old woman.

یافتن پادشاه باز را به خانه‏ی کمپیر زن

Religion is not (like) the falcon that fled from the King to the old crone who was sifting flour

دین نه آن باز است کاو از شه گریخت ** سوی آن کمپیر کاو می‏آرد بیخت‏

That she might cook tutmáj for her children. (When) she saw the beautiful well-born falcon,

تا که تتماجی پزد اولاد را ** دید آن باز خوش خوش زاد را