From these Six Books give light to the Six Directions, in order that any one who has not performed the circumambulation may (now) perform it (round the Mathnawí).
شش جهت را نور ده زین شش صحف ** کی یطوف حوله من لم یطف
Love hath naught to do with the five (senses) and the six (directions): its goal is only (to experience) the attraction exerted by the Beloved.5
عشق را با پنج و با شش کار نیست ** مقصد او جز که جذب یار نیست
Afterwards, maybe, permission will come (from God): the secrets that ought to be told will be told,
بوک فیما بعد دستوری رسد ** رازهای گفتنی گفته شود
With an eloquence that is nearer (to the understanding) than these subtle recondite allusions.
یا بیانی که بود نزدیکتر ** زین کنایات دقیق مستتر
The secret is partner with none but the knower of the secret; in the sceptic's ear the secret is no secret (at all).
But (the command) to call (the people to God) comes down from the Maker: what has he (the prophet or saint) to do with (their) acceptance or non-acceptance?
لیک دعوت واردست از کردگار ** با قبول و ناقبول او را چه کار
Noah continued to call (the people to God) for nine hundred years: the unbelief of his folk was increasing from moment to moment.10
نوح نهصد سال دعوت می‌نمود ** دم به دم انکار قومش می‌فزود
Did he ever pull back the rein of speech? Did he ever creep into the cave of silence?
هیچ از گفتن عنان واپس کشید ** هیچ اندر غار خاموشی خزید
He said (to himself), “Does a caravan ever turn back from a journey on account of the noise and clamour of dogs?
گفت از بانگ و علالای سگان ** هیچ واگردد ز راهی کاروان
Or on a night of moonlight is the running of the full-moon in its course retarded by the dog's outcry?
یا شب مهتاب از غوغای سگ ** سست گردد بدر را در سیر تگ