- O thou in whom hopes are placed, thy lofty aspiration is drawing this (poem) God knows whither.
- همت عالی تو ای مرتجا ** می‌کشد این را خدا داند کجا
- Thou hast bound the neck of this Mathnawí: thou art drawing it in the direction known to thee.
- گردن این مثنوی را بسته‌ای ** می‌کشی آن سوی که دانسته‌ای
- The Mathnawí is running on, the drawer is unseen—unseen by the ignorant one who hath no insight.
- مثنوی پویان کشنده ناپدید ** ناپدید از جاهلی کش نیست دید
- Inasmuch as thou hast been the origin of the Mathnawí, if it become increased (in size), (’tis) thou (who) hast caused it to increase. 5
- مثنوی را چون تو مبدا بوده‌ای ** گر فزون گردد توش افزوده‌ای
- Since thou wishest it so, God wishes it so: God grants the desire of the devout.
- چون چنین خواهی خدا خواهد چنین ** می‌دهد حق آرزوی متقین
- In the past thou hast been (as) “he belongs to God,” so that (now) “God belongs (to him)” hath come in recompense.
- کان لله بوده‌ای در ما مضی ** تا که کان الله پیش آمد جزا
- On thy account the Mathnawí had thousands of thanksgivings (to render): it lifted up its hands in prayer and thanksgiving.
- مثنوی از تو هزاران شکر داشت ** در دعا و شکر کفها بر فراشت
- God saw thanksgiving to thee on its lips and in its hands: (therefore) He showed grace and bestowed favour and increase;
- در لب و کفش خدا شکر تو دید ** فضل کرد و لطف فرمود و مزید
- For to him that gives thanks increase is promised, just as nighness (unto God) is the reward for prostration (in the ritual prayer). 10
- زانک شاکر را زیادت وعده است ** آنچنانک قرب مزد سجده است
- Our God hath said, “And prostrate thyself and come nigh (unto Me)”: the prostration of our bodies is become the nighness of the spirit (unto God).
- گفت واسجد واقترب یزدان ما ** قرب جان شد سجده ابدان ما