Rumi's Masnavi - Or if she said, “Last night they cooked a potful of food” or “The vegetables are cooked to perfection”;

Or if she said, “Last night they cooked a potful of food” or “The vegetables are cooked to perfection”;

ور بگفتی دوش دیگی پخته‌اند ** یا حوایج از پزش یک لخته‌اند

Or if she said, “The loaves have no salt (savour)”; or if she said, “The heavenly sphere is going round in the contrary direction”; 4030

ور بگفتی هست نانها بی‌نمک ** ور بگفتی عکس می‌گردد فلک

Or if she said, “My head aches”; or if she said, “My headache is better”—

ور بگفتی که به درد آمد سرم ** ور بگفتی درد سر شد خوشترم

If she praised, ’twas his (Joseph's) caresses (that she meant); and if she blamed, ’twas separation from him (that she meant).

گر ستودی اعتناق او بدی ** ور نکوهیدی فراق او بدی

If she piled up a hundred thousand names, her meaning and intention was always Joseph.

صد هزاران نام گر بر هم زدی ** قصد او و خواه او یوسف بدی

Were she hungry, as soon as she spoke his name she would be filled (with spiritual food) and intoxicated by his cup.

گرسنه بودی چو گفتی نام او ** می‌شدی او سیر و مست جام او

Her thirst would be quenched by his name: the name of Joseph was a sherbet to her soul; 4035

تشنگیش از نام او ساکن شدی ** نام یوسف شربت باطن شدی

And if she were in pain, her pain would immediately be turned into profit by that exalted name.

ور بدی دردیش زان نام بلند ** درد او در حال گشتی سودمند

In cold weather it was a fur to her. This, this (is what) the Beloved's name can do (when one is) in love.

وقت سرما بودی او را پوستین ** این کند در عشق نام دوست این

The vulgar are always pronouncing the Holy Name, (but) it does not do this work (for them) since they are not endowed with (true) love.

عام می‌خوانند هر دم نام پاک ** این عمل نکند چو نبود عشقناک