Rumi's Masnavi - They that came along boldly on the earth

They that came along boldly on the earth—see their bones and skulls!

آنک گستاخ آمدند اندر زمین ** استخوان و کله‌هاشان را ببین

When you go to the graveyard, O you with whom God is pleased, ask their bones concerning that which is past,

چون به گورستان روی ای مرتضا ** استخوانشان را بپرس از ما مضی

That you may see clearly how those blind intoxicated men went down into the pit of delusion. 275

تا بظاهر بینی آن مستان کور ** چون فرو رفتند در چاه غرور

If you have eyes, do not walk blindly; and if you have not eyes, take a staff in your hand.

چشم اگر داری تو کورانه میا ** ور نداری چشم دست آور عصا

When you have not the staff of prudence and judgement, make the (seer's) eye your leader;

آن عصای حزم و استدلال را ** چون نداری دید می‌کن پیشوا

And if there is no staff of prudence and judgement, do not stand on every road without a guide.

ور عصای حزم و استدلال نیست ** بی عصاکش بر سر هر ره مه‌ایست

Step in the same fashion as a blind man steps, in order that your foot may escape from the pit and the dog.

گام زان سان نه که نابینا نهد ** تا که پا از چاه و از سگ وا رهد

He (the blind man) plants his foot tremblingly and with fear and precaution, so that he may not fall into derangement. 280

لرز لرزان و بترس و احتیاط ** می‌نهد پا تا نیفتد در خباط

O you who have jumped away from some smoke and fallen into a fire, you who have sought a mouthful (of food) and become a mouthful for a snake,

ای ز دودی جسته در ناری شده ** لقمه جسته لقمه‌ی ماری شده

(Story of the people of Sabá and how prosperity made them forward.)

قصه‌ی اهل سبا و طاغی کردن نعمت ایشان را و در رسیدن شومی طغیان و کفران در ایشان و بیان فضیلت شکر و وفا

You have not read the story of the people of Sabá, or you have read it and seen (heard) naught but the echo.

تو نخواندی قصه‌ی اهل سبا ** یا بخواندی و ندیدی جز صدا