Rumi's Masnavi - ’Tis sweet water and a new green jug—some of the rain-water that collected in the ditch.”

’Tis sweet water and a new green jug—some of the rain-water that collected in the ditch.”

آب شیرین و سبوی سبز و نو ** ز آب بارانی که جمع آمد به گو

The officials smiled at that, but they accepted it (the jug) as (though it were precious as) life,

خنده می‌‌آمد نقیبان را از آن ** لیک پذرفتند آن را همچو جان‌‌

Because the graciousness of the good and wise King had made a mark (impressed itself) on all the courtiers.

ز آن که لطف شاه خوب با خبر ** کرده بود اندر همه ارکان اثر

The disposition of kings settles (becomes implanted) in their subjects: the green sky makes the earth verdant. 2820

خوی شاهان در رعیت جا کند ** چرخ اخضر خاک را خضرا کند

Regard the king as a reservoir, his retainers as the pipes: the water runs through the pipe into the ponds (receptacles).

شه چو حوضی دان حشم چون لوله‌‌ها ** آب از لوله روان در کوله‌‌ها

When the water in all (the pipes) is from a pure reservoir, every single one gives sweet water, pleasant to taste;

چون که آب جمله از حوضی است پاک ** هر یکی آبی دهد خوش ذوقناک‌‌

But if the water in the reservoir is brackish and dirty, every pipe brings the same to view,

ور در آن حوض آب شور است و پلید ** هر یکی لوله همان آرد پدید

Because every pipe is connected with the reservoir. Dive, dive into (ponder deeply) the meaning of these words.

ز آن که پیوسته ست هر لوله به حوض ** خوض کن در معنی این حرف خوض‌‌

(Consider) how the imperial grace of the homeless Spirit has produced effects on the whole body; 2825

لطف شاهنشاه جان بی‌‌وطن ** چون اثر کرده ست اندر کل تن‌‌

How the grace of Reason, which is of goodly nature, of goodly lineage, brings the entire body into discipline;

لطف عقل خوش نهاد خوش نسب ** چون همه تن را در آرد در ادب‌‌

How Love, saucy, uncontrolled, and restless, throws the whole body into madness.

عشق شنگ بی‌‌قرار بی‌‌سکون ** چون در آرد کل تن را در جنون‌‌

The purity of the water of the Sea that is like Kawthar (is such that) all its pebbles are pearls and gems.

لطف آب بحر کاو چون کوثر است ** سنگ ریزه‌‌ش جمله در و گوهر است‌‌

For whatever science the master is renowned, the souls of his pupils become endued with the same.

هر هنر که استا بدان معروف شد ** جان شاگردان بدان موصوف شد

With the master-theologian the quick and industrious pupil reads (scholastic) theology. 2830

پیش استاد اصولی هم اصول ** خواند آن شاگرد چست با حصول‌‌

With the master-jurist the student of jurisprudence reads jurisprudence, when he (the teacher) expounds it, not theology.

پیش استاد فقیه آن فقه خوان ** فقه خواند نی اصول اندر بیان‌‌

With the master who is a grammarian—the soul of his pupil becomes imbued by him with grammar.

پیش استادی که او نحوی بود ** جان شاگردش از او نحوی شود

Again, the master who is absorbed in the Way (of Súfism)— because of him the soul of his pupil is absorbed in the King (God).

باز استادی که او محو ره است ** جان شاگردش از او محو شه است‌‌

Of all these various kinds of knowledge, on the day of death the (best) equipment and provision for the road is the knowledge of (spiritual) poverty.

زین همه انواع دانش روز مرگ ** دانش فقر است ساز راه و برگ‌‌

The story of what passed between the grammarian and the boatman.

حکایت ماجرای نحوی و کشتیبان‌‌

A certain grammarian embarked in a boat. That self-conceited person turned to the boatman 2835

آن یکی نحوی به کشتی درنشست ** رو به کشتیبان نهاد آن خود پرست‌‌

And said, “Have you ever studied grammar?” “No,” he replied. The other said, “Half your life is gone to naught.”

گفت هیچ از نحو خواندی گفت لا ** گفت نیم عمر تو شد در فنا

The boatman became heart-broken with grief, but at the time he refrained from answering.

دل شکسته گشت کشتیبان ز تاب ** لیک آن دم کرد خامش از جواب‌‌

The wind cast the boat into a whirlpool: the boatman spoke loud (shouted) to the grammarian,

باد کشتی را به گردابی فگند ** گفت کشتیبان به آن نحوی بلند

“Tell me, do you know how to swim?” “No,” said he, “O fair-spoken good-looking man!”

هیچ دانی آشنا کردن بگو ** گفت نی ای خوش جواب خوب رو

“O grammarian,” said he, “your whole life is naught, because the boat is sinking in these whirlpools.” 2840

گفت کل عمرت ای نحوی فناست ** ز آن که کشتی غرق این گردابهاست‌‌

Know that here mahw (self-effacement) is needed, not nah? (grammar): if you are mahw (dead to self), plunge into the sea without peril.

محو می‌‌باید نه نحو اینجا بدان ** گر تو محوی بی‌‌خطر در آب ران‌‌