Rumi's Masnavi - (Yet) how shouldst thou take flight from Paradise to Hell, heedless of (the text) the people of the Fire (and those of Paradise) are not equal?

(Yet) how shouldst thou take flight from Paradise to Hell, heedless of (the text) the people of the Fire (and those of Paradise) are not equal?

چون کنی از خلد زی دوزخ فرار ** غافل از لا یستوی اصحاب نار

This is the fitting reward for one that unconscionably flees from the King who knows (him) well to the house of an old hag.”

این سزای آن که از شاه خبیر ** خیره بگریزد به خانه‏ی گنده پیر

(Meanwhile) the falcon was rubbing its wings against the King's hand: without tongue it was saying, “I have sinned.”

باز می‏مالید پر بر دست شاه ** بی‏زبان می‏گفت من کردم گناه‏

Where then should the vile (sinner) plead piteously, where should he moan, if Thou wilt accept naught but good, O bountiful (King)? 335

پس کجا زارد کجا نالد لئیم ** گر تو نپذیری بجز نیک ای کریم‏

The King's grace makes the soul sin-seeking, because the King makes every foul thing fair.

لطف شه جان را جنایت جو کند ** ز آنکه شه هر زشت را نیکو کند

Go, do not commit foulness, for (even) our fair deeds appear foul in the sight of our beauteous (Loved One).

رو مکن زشتی که نیکیهای ما ** زشت آمد پیش آن زیبای ما

You deemed your service worthy: thereby you raised the banner of sin.

خدمت خود را سزا پنداشتی ** تو لوای جرم از آن افراشتی‏

Forasmuch as praise and prayer were vouchsafed to you, through making that prayer your heart became vainglorious.

چون ترا ذکر و دعا دستور شد ** ز آن دعاکردن دلت مغرور شد

You regarded yourself as speaking (confidentially) with God. Oh, (there is) many a one that becomes separated (from God) by this opinion. 340

هم سخن دیدی تو خود را با خدا ** ای بسا کاو زین گمان افتد جدا

Although the King sit with you on the ground, know yourself and sit better (with more decorum and reverence).

گر چه با تو شه نشیند بر زمین ** خویشتن بشناس و نیکوتر نشین‏