Rumi's Masnavi - (Yet), although this intellect is too weak to declare (what thou art), one must weakly make a movement (attempt) in that (direction).

(Yet), although this intellect is too weak to declare (what thou art), one must weakly make a movement (attempt) in that (direction).

گر چه عاجز آمد این عقل از بیان ** عاجزانه جنبشی باید در آن

Know that when the whole of a thing is unattainable the whole of it is not (therefore to be) relinquished.

ان شیا کله لا یدرک ** اعلموا ان کله لا یترک

If you cannot drink (all) the flood-rain of the clouds, (yet) how can you give up water-drinking?

گر نتانی خورد طوفان سحاب ** کی توان کردن بترک خورد آب

If thou wilt not communicate the mystery, (at least) refresh (our) apprehensions with the husk thereof.

راز را گر می‌نیاری در میان ** درکها را تازه کن از قشر آن

(My) spoken words are (only) a husk in relation to thee, but they are a good kernel for other understandings. 20

نطقها نسبت به تو قشرست لیک ** پیش دیگر فهمها مغزست نیک

The sky is low in relation to the empyrean; else, in respect of the earth-mound, it is exceedingly high.

آسمان نسبت به عرش آمد فرود ** ورنه بس عالیست سوی خاک‌تود

I will tell thy description in order that they (my hearers) may take their way (towards thee) ere they grieve at the loss of that (opportunity).

من بگویم وصف تو تا ره برند ** پیش از آن کز فوت آن حسرت خورند

Thou art the Light of God and a mighty drawer of the soul to God. His creatures are in the darkness of vain imagination and opinion.

نور حقی و به حق جذاب جان ** خلق در ظلمات وهم‌اند و گمان

Reverence is the necessary condition for this goodly Light to bestow a salve on these sightless ones.

شرط تعظیمست تا این نور خوش ** گردد این بی‌دیدگان را سرمه‌کش

The ready sharp-eared man gains the Light—he who is not in love with darkness like a mouse. 25

نور یابد مستعد تیزگوش ** کو نباشد عاشق ظلمت چو موش