Rumi's Masnavi - And if such a thorn enter my foot (if such a calamity befall me) that the rose departs (that my son dies), I must needs have a keepsake.”

And if such a thorn enter my foot (if such a calamity befall me) that the rose departs (that my son dies), I must needs have a keepsake.”

ور رسد خاری چنین اندر قدم ** که رود گل یادگاری بایدم

Since the causes of mortality are infinite, which road, then, shall we bar?

چون فنا را شد سبب بی‌منتهی ** پس کدامین راه را بندیم ما

A hundred windows and doors facing towards mordant death are ever creaking as they are opened,

صد دریچه و در سوی مرگ لدیغ ** می‌کند اندر گشادن ژیغ ژیغ

(But) from greed for (worldly) provision the ear of the covetous does not hear the harsh creaking of those doors of death.

ژیغ‌ژیغ تلخ آن درهای مرگ ** نشنود گوش حریص از حرص برگ

From the side of the body, pains are the noise of the door; and from the side of enemies, maltreatment is the noise of the door. 3105

از سوی تن دردها بانگ درست ** وز سوی خصمان جفا بانگ درست

My dear friend, read for one moment the table of contents of (books on) Medicine; look at the flaming fire of diseases!

جان سر بر خوان دمی فهرست طب ** نار علتها نظر کن ملتهب

Through all those tumours (maladies) there is a way (for death) into this house: at every two steps there is a pit full of scorpions.

زان همه غرها درین خانه رهست ** هر دو گامی پر ز کزدمها چهست

(The king said), “The wind is fierce and my lamp is a docked (imperfect) one: I will light another lamp from it,

باد تندست و چراغم ابتری ** زو بگیرانم چراغ دیگری

So that maybe one complete (lamp) will arise from them both, if that one lamp be put out by the wind,”

تا بود کز هر دو یک وافی شود ** گر به باد آن یک چراغ از جا رود

Like the gnostic who, for the sake of (gaining) freedom from care, has lit the candle of the heart (spirit) from this defective lamp of the body, 3110

هم‌چو عارف کن تن ناقص چراغ ** شمع دل افروخت از بهر فراغ