Rumi's Masnavi - If it (the hidden hand) will, it (the external hand) becomes a snake to the enemy; and if it will, it becomes a helper to the friend;

If it (the hidden hand) will, it (the external hand) becomes a snake to the enemy; and if it will, it becomes a helper to the friend;

گر بخواهد بر عدو ماری شود ** ور بخواهد بر ولی یاری شود

And if it will, a spoon in food; and if it will, a mace weighing ten maunds.

ور بخواهد کفچه‌‌ای در خوردنی ** ور بخواهد همچو گرز ده منی‌‌

I wonder what the heart is saying to them (the members of the body). ’Tis a marvelous connexion, a marvellous hidden link.

دل چه می‌‌گوید بدیشان ای عجب ** طرفه وصلت طرفه پنهانی سبب‌‌

Surely the heart has gotten the seal of Solomon, so that it has pulled the reins of (exerted control over) the five senses. 3575

دل مگر مهر سلیمان یافته ست ** که مهار پنج حس بر تافته ست‌‌

Five external senses are easy for it to manage, five internal senses (faculties) are under its command.

پنج حسی از برون میسور او ** پنج حسی از درون مأمور او

There are ten senses and seven limbs (of the body) et cetera: count over (to yourself) what is not mentioned (here).

ده حس است و هفت اندام و دگر ** آن چه اندر گفت ناید می‌‌شمر

O heart, since thou art a Solomon in empire, cast thy seal-ring (powerful spell) upon peri and demon.

چون سلیمانی دلا در مهتری ** بر پری و دیو زن انگشتری‌‌

If in this kingdom thou art free from deceit, the three demons will not take the seal out of thy hand;

گر در این ملکت بری باشی ز ریو ** خاتم از دست تو نستاند سه دیو

After that, thy name will conquer the world: the two worlds (will be) ruled by thee like thy body. 3580

بعد از آن عالم بگیرد اسم تو ** دو جهان محکوم تو چون جسم تو

And if the demon take the seal off thy hand, thy kingdom is past, thy fortune is dead;

ور ز دستت دیو خاتم را ببرد ** پادشاهی فوت شد بختت بمرد

After that, O servants (of God), “O sorrow!” is your inevitable doom till the day when ye are gathered together (for Judgement).

بعد از آن یا حسرتا شد یا عباد ** بر شما محتوم تا یوم التناد

And if thou art denying thy deceit, how wilt thou save thy soul from the scales and the mirror?

مکر خود را گر تو انکار آوری ** از ترازو و آینه کی جان بری‌‌

How suspicion was thrown upon Luqmán by the slaves and fellow-servants who said that he had eaten the fresh fruit which they were bringing (to their master).

متهم کردن غلامان و خواجه‌‌تاشان مر لقمان را که آن میوه‌‌های ترونده که می‌‌آوردیم او خورده است‌‌

In the eyes of his master, amongst (in comparison with) the (other) slaves, Luqmán was despicable on account of his body (outward aspect).

بود لقمان پیش خواجه‌‌ی خویشتن ** در میان بندگانش خوار تن‌‌

He (the master) used to send the slaves to the garden, that fruit might come (be brought to him) for his pleasure. 3585

می‌‌فرستاد او غلامان را به باغ ** تا که میوه آیدش بهر فراغ‌‌

Amongst the slaves Luqmán was (despised) like a parasite; (he was) full of (spiritual) ideas, dark-complexioned as night.

بود لقمان در غلامان چون طفیل ** پر معانی تیره صورت همچو لیل‌‌

Those slaves, being impelled by greed, ate the whole of the fruit with enjoyment,

آن غلامان میوه‌‌های جمع را ** خوش بخوردند از نهیب طمع را

And told their master that Luqmán had eaten it, (whereupon) the master became bitter and sorely displeased with Luqmán.

خواجه را گفتند لقمان خورد آن ** خواجه بر لقمان ترش گشت و گران‌‌

When Luqmán inquired (and ascertained) the cause (of this), he opened his lips to reproach his master.

چون تفحص کرد لقمان از سبب ** در عتاب خواجه‌‌اش بگشاد لب‌‌

“O sire,” said Luqmán, “an unfaithful servant is not approved in the sight of God. 3590

گفت لقمان سیدا پیش خدا ** بنده‌‌ی خاین نباشد مرتضا

Put us all to the test, O noble sir: give us our fill of hot water (to drink),

امتحان کن جمله‌‌مان را ای کریم ** سیرمان در ده تو از آب حمیم‌‌

And afterwards make us run into a great plain, thou being mounted and we on foot.

بعد از آن ما را به صحرایی کلان ** تو سواره ما پیاده می‌‌دوان‌‌

Then behold the evil-doer, (behold) the things that are done by Him who revealeth mysteries!”

آن گهان بنگر تو بد کردار را ** صنعهای کاشف الاسرار را

The master gave the servants hot water to drink, and they drank it in fear (of him).

گشت ساقی خواجه از آب حمیم ** مر غلامان را و خوردند آن ز بیم‌‌

Afterwards he was driving them into the plains, and those persons were running up and down. 3595

بعد از آن می‌‌راندشان در دشتها ** می‌‌دویدندی میان کشتها

From distress they began to vomit: the (hot) water was bringing up the fruit from them.

قی در افتادند ایشان از عنا ** آب می‌‌آورد ز یشان میوه‌‌ها