Rumi's Masnavi - If a child had seen the pitiless horror that I saw, it would instantly have become old.

If a child had seen the pitiless horror that I saw, it would instantly have become old.

آنچ من دیدم ز هول بی‌امان ** طفل دیدی پیر گشتی در زمان

Deprived of heart and soul by dread of that awful object, I threw myself headlong from the mountain.

بی‌دل و جان از نهیب آن شکوه ** سرنگون خود را در افکندم ز کوه

My legs were tied (paralysed) by terror as soon as I perceived that (cruel) torment without (any) barrier (between it and me).

بسته شد پایم در آن دم از نهیب ** چون بدیدم آن عذاب بی‌حجاب

I made a promise to God, crying, ‘O gracious One, do Thou loose my legs from this bondage,

عهد کردم با خدا کای ذوالمنن ** برگشا زین بستگی تو پای من

So that henceforth I may not listen to any one's temptation: I promise, I vow (that I will not listen), O Helper!’ 2630

تا ننوشم وسوسه‌ی کس بعد ازین ** عهد کردم نذر کردم ای معین

Thereupon God loosed my legs because of my prayer and humble entreaty and indication (of abasement);

حق گشاده کرد آن دم پای من ** زان دعا و زاری و ایمای من

Else the fierce lion would have overtaken me: how would an ass have fared in the grip of a lion?

ورنه اندر من رسیدی شیر نر ** چون بدی در زیر پنجه‌ی شیر خر

Now the lion of the jungle has sent you to me again for the purpose of deceit, O evil companion that you are!”

باز بفرستادت آن شیر عرین ** سوی من از مکر ای بس القرین

(I swear) by the truth of the Holy Person of Allah, the Lord, that a malign snake is better than a malign friend.

حق ذات پاک الله الصمد ** که بود به مار بد از یار بد

The malign snake takes a soul (life) from the man it has bitten; the malign friend leads him into the everlasting Fire. 2635

مار بد جانی ستاند از سلیم ** یار بد آرد سوی نار مقیم