Rumi's Masnavi - Nay; they are two so long as you are a worshipper of form, (but) they have become one to him who has escaped from (consciousness of) form.

Nay; they are two so long as you are a worshipper of form, (but) they have become one to him who has escaped from (consciousness of) form. 675

نه دو باشد تا تویی صورت پرست ** پیش او یک گشت کز صورت برست‌‌

When you look at the form, your eye is two; look at its (the eye's) light, which grew from the eye.

چون به صورت بنگری چشم تو دست ** تو به نورش درنگر کز چشم رست‌‌

’Tis impossible to distinguish the light of the two eyes, when a man has cast his look upon their light.

نور هر دو چشم نتوان فرق کرد ** چون که در نورش نظر انداخت مرد

If ten lamps are present in (one) place, each differs in form from another:

ده چراغ ار حاضر آید در مکان ** هر یکی باشد به صورت غیر آن‌‌

To distinguish without any doubt the light of each, when you turn your face towards their light, is impossible.

فرق نتوان کرد نور هر یکی ** چون به نورش روی آری بی‌‌شکی‌‌

If you count a hundred apples or a hundred quinces, they do not remain a hundred (but) become one, when you crush them (together). 680

گر تو صد سیب و صد آبی بشمری ** صد نماند یک شود چون بفشری‌‌

In things spiritual there is no division and no numbers; in things spiritual there is no partition and no individuals.

در معانی قسمت و اعداد نیست ** در معانی تجزیه و افراد نیست‌‌

Sweet is the oneness of the Friend with His friends: catch (and cling to) the foot of spirit. Form is headstrong.

اتحاد یار با یاران خوش است ** پای معنی گیر صورت سرکش است‌‌

Make headstrong form waste away with tribulation, that beneath it you may descry unity, like a (buried) treasure;

صورت سرکش گدازان کن به رنج ** تا ببینی زیر او وحدت چو گنج‌‌

And if you waste it not away, His favours will waste it—oh, my heart is His vassal.

ور تو نگذاری عنایتهای او ** خود گدازد ای دلم مولای او

He even showeth Himself to (our) hearts, He seweth the tattered frock of the dervish. 685

او نماید هم به دلها خویش را ** او بدوزد خرقه‌‌ی درویش را

Simple were we and all one substance; we were all without head and without foot yonder.

منبسط بودیم و یک جوهر همه ** بی‌‌سر و بی‌‌پا بدیم آن سر همه‌‌

We were one substance, like the Sun; we were knotless and pure, like water.

یک گهر بودیم همچون آفتاب ** بی‌‌گره بودیم و صافی همچو آب‌‌

When that goodly Light took form, it became (many in) number like the shadows of a battlement.

چون به صورت آمد آن نور سره ** شد عدد چون سایه‌‌های کنگره‌‌

Rase ye the battlement with the manjaníq (mangonel), that difference may vanish from amidst this company (of shadows).

کنگره ویران کنید از منجنیق ** تا رود فرق از میان این فریق‌‌

I would have explained this (matter) with (eager) contention, but I fear lest some (weak) mind may stumble. 690

شرح این را گفتمی من از مری ** لیک ترسم تا نلغزد خاطری‌‌

The points (involved in it) are sharp as a sword of steel; if you have not the shield (of capacity to understand), turn back and flee!

نکته‌‌ها چون تیغ پولاد است تیز ** گر نداری تو سپر واپس گریز

Do not come without shield against this adamant (keen blade), for the sword is not ashamed of cutting.

پیش این الماس بی‌‌اسپر میا ** کز بریدن تیغ را نبود حیا

For this cause I have put the sword in sheath, that none who misreads may read contrariwise (in a sense contrary to the true meaning of my words).

زین سبب من تیغ کردم در غلاف ** تا که کج خوانی نخواند بر خلاف‌‌

We come (now) to complete the tale and (speak) of the loyalty of the multitude of the righteous,

آمدیم اندر تمامی داستان ** وز وفاداری جمع راستان‌‌

Who rose up after (the death of) this leader, demanding a vicar in his place. 695

کز پس این پیشوا برخاستند ** بر مقامش نایبی می‌‌خواستند

The quarrel of the amírs concerning the succession.

منازعت امرا در ولیعهدی

One of those amírs advanced and went before that loyal-minded people.

یک امیری ز آن امیران پیش رفت ** پیش آن قوم وفا اندیش رفت‌‌

“Behold,” said he, “I am that man's vicar: I am the vicar of Jesus at the present time.

گفت اینک نایب آن مرد من ** نایب عیسی منم اندر زمن‌‌

Look, this scroll is my proof that after him the vicarate belongs to me.”

اینک این طومار برهان من است ** کاین نیابت بعد از او آن من است‌‌

Another amír came forth from ambush: his pretension regarding the vicegerency was the same;

آن امیر دیگر آمد از کمین ** دعوی او در خلافت بد همین‌‌