Rumi's Masnavi - Spiritual savour is required, in order that devotions may yield fruit: a kernel is required, in order that the berry may produce a tree.

Spiritual savour is required, in order that devotions may yield fruit: a kernel is required, in order that the berry may produce a tree.

ذوق باید تا دهد طاعات بر ** مغز باید تا دهد دانه شجر

How shall a berry without kernel become a sapling? The soulless form is naught but phantasy.

دانه‏ی بی‏مغز کی گردد نهال ** صورت بی‏جان نباشد جز خیال‏

Remainder of the story of the stranger’s reviling the Shaykh.

بقیه‏ی قصه‏ی طعنه زدن آن مرد بیگانه در شیخ‏

That malign wretch was gabbling silly nonsense about the Shaykh: the perverted intellect is always squinting (envious).

آن خبیث از شیخ می‏لایید ژاژ ** کژنگر باشد همیشه عقل کاژ

(He said), “I saw him amidst a company (of revellers): he is one denuded and destitute of piety.

که منش دیدم میان مجلسی ** او ز تقوی عاری است و مفلسی‏

And if you do not believe it, arise (and go) to-night, that you may see plainly your Shaykh’s depravity.” 3400

ور که باور نیستت خیز امشبان ** تا ببینی فسق شیخت را عیان‏

At night he took him to a window and said, “Behold a (fine) debauch and merry-making!

شب ببردش بر سر یک روزنی ** گفت بنگر فسق و عشرت کردنی‏

Behold such hypocrisy by day and profligacy by night!––in the daytime (he is) like Mustafá (Mohammed), at night (like) Bú Lahab.

بنگر آن سالوس روز و فسق شب ** روز همچون مصطفی شب بو لهب‏

By day his name has become ‘Abdullah (the servant of God); by night––God save us! And (see), the wine-cup in his hand!”

روز عبد الله او را گشته نام ** شب نعوذ بالله و در دست جام‏

He (the disciple) saw a full glass in the Shaykh’s hand. “O Shaykh,” said he, “is there a tumour even in thee?

دید شیشه در کف آن پیر پر ** گفت شیخا مر ترا هم هست غر

Nonne dicebas?— ‘In vini poculo mingit Diabolus festinans lente’.” [Did you not say, ‘The Devil pees into the wine cup quickly (but) without hurry?’] 3405

تو نمی‏گفتی که در جام شراب ** دیو می‏میزد شتابان ناشتاب‏