Rumi's Masnavi - (But) one whose sense (of smell) is keen can tell by the vapour (issuing from the closed pot) whether it is a pot of sweetmeat or sour sikbáj (stew flavoured with vinegar).

(But) one whose sense (of smell) is keen can tell by the vapour (issuing from the closed pot) whether it is a pot of sweetmeat or sour sikbáj (stew flavoured with vinegar).

از بخار آن بداند تیزهش ** دیگ شیرینی ز سکباج ترش

When a man taps a new pot with his hand at the time when he is buying it, he detects the cracked one (by its sound).

دست بر دیگ نوی چون زد فتی ** وقت بخریدن بدید اشکسته را

He (one of the three brothers) said (to the cadi), “I know a man at once by his mouth (speech); and if he do not speak, I know him within three days.” 4900

گفت دانم مرد را در حین ز پوز ** ور نگوید دانمش اندر سه روز

The second said, “I know him if he speak, and if he do not speak, I engage him in conversation.”

وآن دگر گفت ار بگوید دانمش ** ور نگوید در سخن پیچانمش

He (the cadi) said, “(But) if he has (already) heard of this device (of yours), he will close his lips and take refuge in silence.”

گفت اگر این مکر بشنیده بود ** لب ببندد در خموشی در رود

Parable.

مثل

The case is like that of the mother who said to her child, “If a ghost come to you in the night,

آنچنان که گفت مادر بچه را ** گر خیالی آیدت در شب فرا

Or if in a graveyard and frightful place you behold a black bogle full of rage,

یا بگورستان و جای سهمگین ** تو خیالی بینی اسود پر ز کین

Keep a stout heart and rush at it, and immediately it will turn its face away from you.” 4905

دل قوی دار و بکن حمله برو ** او بگرداند ز تو در حال رو

“(But),” said the child, “suppose the devilish bogle's mother has said this (same thing) to it;

گفت کودک آن خیال دیووش ** گر بدو این گفته باشد مادرش

(If) I rush at it, by its mother's orders it will fall on my neck: what shall I do then?

حمله آرم افتد اندر گردنم ** ز امر مادر پس من آنگه چون کنم