Rumi's Masnavi - (So) he came to the stationer's shop and (for some time) was laying his hand here and there on his (the stationer's) models for writing.

(So) he came to the stationer's shop and (for some time) was laying his hand here and there on his (the stationer's) models for writing.

جانب دکان وراق آمد او ** دست می‌برد او به مشقش سو به سو

Suddenly that piece of script, with the distinctive marks which the heavenly voice had mentioned, caught his eye.

پیش چشمش آمد آن مکتوب زود ** با علاماتی که هاتف گفته بود

He slipped it under his arm and said, “Good-bye, Khwája: I will come back presently, O master.” 1925

در بغل زد گفت خواجه خیر باد ** این زمان وا می‌رسم ای اوستاد

He went into a solitary nook and read it and remained lost in bewilderment and amazement,

رفت کنج خلوتی و آن را بخواند ** وز تحیر واله و حیران بماند

(Wondering) how a priceless treasure-scroll of this sort had fallen and been left among the (stationer's) papers.

که بدین سان گنج‌نامه‌ی بی‌بها ** چون فتاده ماند اندر مشقها

(Then) again the thought darted into his mind, that God is the guardian for everything,

باز اندر خاطرش این فکر جست ** کز پی هر چیز یزدان حافظست

(And) how should the Guardian, in (His) circumspection, let any one recklessly carry off anything?

کی گذارد حافظ اندر اکتناف ** که کسی چیزی رباید از گزاف

Though the desert be filled with gold and (silver) money, not a single mite can be taken away without God's approval; 1930

گر بیابان پر شود زر و نقود ** بی رضای حق جوی نتوان ربود

And though you read a hundred volumes without a pause, you will not remember a single point (of argument) without the Divine decree;

ور بخوانی صد صحف بی سکته‌ای ** بی قدر یادت نماند نکته‌ای

But if you serve God and do not read a single book, you will learn rare sciences from your (own) bosom.

ور کنی خدمت نخوانی یک کتاب ** علمهای نادره یابی ز جیب