That ass is saying to you (implicitly), ‘Take good heed! Don't travel alone like this, unless you are an ass!’
مر ترا می‌گوید آن خر خوش شنو ** گر نه‌ای خر هم‌چنین تنها مرو
Beyond doubt he who cheerfully goes alone into the custom-house will go more cheerfully (when he is) with companions.
آنک تنها خوش رود اندر رصد ** با رفیقان بی‌گمان خوشتر رود
Every prophet (that walked) on this straight road produced evidentiary miracles and sought fellow-travellers.
هر نبیی اندرین راه درست ** معجزه بنمود و همراهان بجست
Were it not for the help given by the walls, how should houses and magazines arise?
گر نباشد یاری دیوارها ** کی برآید خانه و انبارها
If each wall be separated (from the others), how shall the roof remain suspended in the air?520
هر یکی دیوار اگر باشد جدا ** سقف چون باشد معلق در هوا
If no help be given by ink and pen, how shall the writing come on to the surface of the paper?
گر نباشد یاری حبر و قلم ** کی فتد بر روی کاغذها رقم
If this rush-mat which some one is spreading were not joined together (interwoven), the wind would carry it away.
این حصیری که کسی می‌گسترد ** گر نپیوندد به هم بادش برد
Since God created pairs of every kind, therefore (all) results are produced by means of union.”
حق ز هر جنسی چو زوجین آفرید ** پس نتایج شد ز جمعیت پدید
He (the fowler) spoke (on one side) and it (the bird) spoke (on the other side): their debate on this subject was prolonged by the vehemence (with which they argued).
او بگفت و او بگفت از اهتزاز ** بحثشان شد اندرین معنی دراز
Make the Mathnawí nimble and pleasing to the heart: abridge and shorten (their) controversy.525
مثنوی را چابک و دلخواه کن ** ماجرا را موجز و کوتاه کن