Rumi's Masnavi - Although (his) forgetfulness was necessary and inevitable, (yet) he was a free agent in employing the means (by which it was produced);

Although (his) forgetfulness was necessary and inevitable, (yet) he was a free agent in employing the means (by which it was produced);

گرچه نسیان لابد و ناچار بود ** در سبب ورزیدن او مختار بود

For he showed remissness in his feelings of reverence, so that forgetfulness was born or negligence and trespass.

که تهاون کرد در تعظیمها ** تا که نسیان زاد یا سهو و خطا

(‘Tis) like (the case of) the drunken man who commits sins and says, “I was excused from (responsibility for) myself” 4105

هم‌چو مستی کو جنایتها کند ** گوید او معذور بودم من ز خود

“But,” says he (the other) to him, “the cause (of your sin), (consisting) in the loss of that power to choose, proceeded from you, O evil-doer.

گویدش لیکن سبب ای زشتکار ** از تو بد در رفتن آن اختیار

Your senselessness did not come of itself, you invited it; your power to choose did not go of itself, you drove it away.

بی‌خودی نامد بخود تش خواندی ** اختیارت خود نشد تش راندی

If an intoxication had come (upon you) without exertion on your part, the spiritual Cup-bearer would have kept your covenant (inviolate).

گر رسیدی مستی بی‌جهد تو ** حفظ کردی ساقی جان عهد تو

He would have been your backer and intercessor: I am devoted to the sin of him who is intoxicated by God.”

پشت‌دارت بودی او و عذرخواه ** من غلام زلت مست اله

(Ayáz said), “The forgivenesses of the whole world are (but) a mote—the reflexion of thy forgiveness, O thou from whom comes, every fortune. 4110

عفوهای جمله عالم ذره‌ای ** عکس عفوت ای ز تو هر بهره‌ای

(All) forgivenesses sing the praise of thy forgiveness: there is no peer to it. O people, beware (of comparing it)!

عفوها گفته ثنای عفو تو ** نیست کفوش ایها الناس اتقوا

Grant them their lives, neither banish them from thyself: they are (the objects of) thy sweet desire, O thou who bringest (all thy) desire to fruition.

جانشان بخش و ز خودشان هم مران ** کام شیرین تو اند ای کامران