Rumi's Masnavi - He (the lover) repeats his tale unweariedly: how should a fish be satisfied with (mere) indication (so as to refrain) from the limpid water?

He (the lover) repeats his tale unweariedly: how should a fish be satisfied with (mere) indication (so as to refrain) from the limpid water?

می‌کند تکرار گفتن بی‌ملال ** کی ز اشارت بس کند حوت از زلال

He (the lover), from that ancient grief, was speaking a hundred words in complaint, saying, “I have not spoken a word.” 1250

صد سخن می‌گفت زان درد کهن ** در شکایت که نگفتم یک سخن

There was a fire in him: he did not know what it was, but on account of its heat he was weeping like a candle.

آتشی بودش نمی‌دانست چیست ** لیک چون شمع از تف آن می‌گریست

The beloved said, “Thou hast done all this, yet open thine ear wide and apprehend well;

گفت معشوق این همه کردی ولیک ** گوش بگشا پهن و اندر یاب نیک

For thou hast not done what is the root of the root of love and fealty: this that thou hast done is (only) the branches.”

کانچ اصل اصل عشقست و ولاست ** آن نکردی اینچ کردی فرعهاست

The lover said to her, “Tell me, what is that root?” She said, “The root thereof is to die and be naught.

گفتش آن عاشق بگو که آن اصل چیست ** گفت اصلش مردنست ونیستیست

Thou hast done all (else), (but) thou hast not died, thou art living. Hark, die, if thou art a self-sacrificing friend!” 1255

تو همه کردی نمردی زنده‌ای ** هین بمیر ار یار جان‌بازنده‌ای

Instantly he laid himself at full length (on the ground) and gave up the ghost: like the rose, he played away his head (life), laughing and rejoicing.

هم در آن دم شد دراز و جان بداد ** هم‌چو گل درباخت سر خندان و شاد

That laughter remained with him as an endowment unto everlasting, like the untroubled spirit and reason of the gnostic.

ماند آن خنده برو وقف ابد ** هم‌چو جان و عقل عارف بی‌کبد

How should the light of the moon ever become defiled, though its light strike on everything good and evil?

نور مه‌آلوده کی گردد ابد ** گر زند آن نور بر هر نیک و بد