Rumi's Masnavi - In order that thou might’st lessen (refrain from) that injustice and wickedness: thou wert seeing those (visions) and becoming more wicked.

In order that thou might’st lessen (refrain from) that injustice and wickedness: thou wert seeing those (visions) and becoming more wicked.

تا کنی کمتر تو آن ظلم و بدی ** آن همی‌دیدی و بتر می‌شدی

He was showing unto thee hideous forms in dream: thou wert shrinking back from them, and (in reality) they were thy (own) form;

نقشهای زشت خوابت می‌نمود ** می‌رمیدی زان و آن نقش تو بود

Like the Ethiopian (negro) who saw in the mirror that his face was ugly, et in speculum cacavit, [Like the Ethiopian (negro) who saw in the mirror that his face was ugly, and defecated upon the mirror,] 2490

هم‌چو آن زنگی که در آیینه دید ** روی خود را زشت و بر آیینه رید

Saying, ‘How ugly thou art! Thou art deserving only of this.’ (The mirror replies), ‘My ugliness belongs to thee, O vile blind one.

که چه زشتی لایق اینی و بس ** زشتیم آن تواست ای کور خس

Thou art putting this filth on thy ugly face: it is not on me, for I have splendour.’

این حدث بر روی زشتت می‌کنی ** نیست بر من زانک هستم روشنی

At one time thou wert seeing (in vision) thy raiment burnt; at another time thy mouth and eyes stitched up;

گاه می‌دیدی لباست سوخته ** گه دهان و چشم تو بر دوخته

Now a (rapacious) animal seeking thy blood; now thy head in the teeth of a wild beast;

گاه حیوان قاصد خونت شده ** گه سر خود را به دندان دده

Now (in thy dream thou wert) upside down in the midst of a latrine; now sunk in a fierce blood-dyed torrent; 2495

گه نگون اندر میان آبریز ** گه غریق سیل خون‌آمیز تیز

Now from this pure heaven came to thee a voice crying, ‘Thou art damned, thou art damned, damned’;

گه ندات آمد ازین چرخ نقی ** که شقیی و شقیی و شقی

Now from the mountains came to thee a voice, (saying) plainly, ‘Begone! Thou art one of the people of the left hand’;

گه ندات آمد صریحا از جبال ** که برو هستی ز اصحاب الشمال