- When (I say) he returned from the Sea towards the shore, the lyre of the poesy of the Mathnawí became attuned (again). 5
- چون ز دریا سوی ساحل باز گشت ** چنگ شعر مثنوی با ساز گشت
- The Mathnawí, which was the burnisher (purifier) of spirits —his return was the day of (my) seeking (an auspicious) commencement (for it).
- مثنوی که صیقل ارواح بود ** باز گشتش روز استفتاح بود
- The date of beginning this gainful (spiritual) traffic was in the year six hundred and sixty-two.
- مطلع تاریخ این سودا و سود ** سال اندر ششصد و شصت و دو بود
- A nightingale went hence and returned: it became a falcon for hunting these spiritual truths.
- بلبلی ز ینجا برفت و باز گشت ** بهر صید این معانی باز گشت
- May this falcon's resting-place be the fore-arm of the King! May this gate (to the Truth) be open to (all) the people unto everlasting!
- ساعد شه مسکن این باز باد ** تا ابد بر خلق این در باز باد
- The bane of this gate is sensuality and lust; else, draught on draught (of spiritual knowledge) is (to be found) here. 10
- آفت این در هوا و شهوت است ** ور نه اینجا شربت اندر شربت است
- Close this mouth that you may see plainly: gullet and mouth are the eye-bandage (which makes you blind) to yonder world.
- این دهان بر بند تا بینی عیان ** چشم بند آن جهان حلق و دهان
- O mouth, verily thou art the mouth of Hell; and, O world, thou art like the intermediate state.
- ای دهان تو خود دهانه‌ای دوزخی ** وی جهان تو بر مثال برزخی
- The everlasting light is beside this low world, the pure milk is beside rivers of blood.
- نور باقی پهلوی دنیای دون ** شیر صافی پهلوی جوهای خون
- When you take one step in it (the world) without precaution, your milk will be turned to blood through commixture.
- چون در او گامی زنی بیاحتیاط ** شیر تو خون میشود از اختلاط