Rumi's Masnavi - Had he not seen (in me) one of his own kind, how should he have approached? How should he have thrown himself upon (attached himself to) one of another kind?”

Had he not seen (in me) one of his own kind, how should he have approached? How should he have thrown himself upon (attached himself to) one of another kind?” 2100

گر ندیدی جنس خود کی آمدی ** کی به غیر جنس خود را بر زدی‏

When two persons come into touch with each other, without any doubt there is something in common between them.

چون دو کس بر هم زند بی‏هیچ شک ** در میانشان هست قدر مشترک‏

How should a bird fly except with its own kind? The society of the uncongenial is the grave and the tomb.

کی پرد مرغی مگر با جنس خود ** صحبت ناجنس گور است و لحد

The cause of a bird's flying and feeding with a bird that is not of its own kind.

سبب پریدن و چریدن مرغی با مرغی که جنس او نبود

Said a certain sage, “I saw a crow running about in the desert with a stork.

آن حکیمی گفت دیدم هم تکی ** در بیابان زاغ را با لکلکی‏

I marvelled long, and I investigated their case, in order that I might find the clue (as to) what it was that they had in common.

در عجب ماندم بجستم حالشان ** تا چه قدر مشترک یابم نشان‏

When, amazed and bewildered, I approached them, (then) indeed I saw that both of them were lame.” 2105

چون شدم نزدیک، من حیران و دنگ ** خود بدیدم هر دوان بودند لنگ‏

In particular, (how should) a royal falcon, which is of the highest heaven, (consort) with an owl, which is of the low earth?

خاصه شهبازی که او عرشی بود ** با یکی جغدی که او فرشی بود

That one is the sun of ‘Illiyyún, while the other is a bat which belongs to Sijjín.

آن یکی خورشید علیین بود ** وین دگر خفاش کز سجین بود

That one is a luminary, free from every defect, while this (other) one is a blind man begging at every door.

آن یکی نوری ز هر عیبی بری ** وین یکی کوری گدای هر دری‏

That one is a moon that strikes (its beams) upon the Pleiades, while this (other) one is a worm that lives in dung.

آن یکی ماهی که بر پروین زند ** وین یکی کرمی که در سرگین زید

That one has the face of a Joseph, the breath of a Jesus, while this (other) one is a wolf or an ass with a bell. 2110

آن یکی یوسف رخی عیسی نفس ** وین یکی گرگی و یا خر با جرس‏

That one has flown to Spacelessness, while this (other) one is in the straw-barn, like the dogs.

آن یکی پران شده در لا مکان ** وین یکی در کاهدان همچون سگان‏

With the tongue of (unspoken) meaning the rose is saying to the beetle this—“O stinking (creature),

با زبان معنوی گل با جعل ** این همی‏گوید که ای گنده بغل‏

If thou art fleeing from the rose-bed, doubtless that aversion (shown by thee) is (a sign of) the perfection of the rose-garden.

گر گریزانی ز گلشن بی‏گمان ** هست آن نفرت کمال گلستان‏

My jealousy (sense of dignity) smites thee on the head with a baton, (warning thee to) keep far away from here, O vile one;

غیرت من بر سر تو دور باش ** می‏زند کای خس از اینجا دور باش‏

For if, base wretch, thou shouldst mix with me, it will be thought that thou art of my stock. 2115

ور بیامیزی تو با من ای دنی ** این گمان آید که از کان منی‏

For nightingales the garden is the proper place; for the beetle the best home is in ordure.”

بلبلان را جای می‏زیبد چمن ** مر جعل را در چمین خوشتر وطن‏

Since God has kept me pure from filth, how were it seemly to appoint a foul one for (companionship with) me?

حق مرا چون از پلیدی پاک داشت ** چون سزد بر من پلیدی را گماشت‏

I had (in me) a vein of them (of their nature). He (God) cut it out: how (then) will he with the vein of evil attain unto me?

یک رگم ز ایشان بد و آن را برید ** در من آن بد رگ کجا خواهد رسید

One mark of Adam from eternity was this, that the angels should lay their heads (on the ground) before him, because it was his place (proper to his dignity).

یک نشان آدم آن بود از ازل ** که ملایک سر نهندش از محل‏

Another mark was that Iblís, saying, “I am the king and chief,” should not lay down his head before him. 2120

یک نشان دیگر آن که آن بلیس ** ننهدش سر که منم شاه و رئیس‏

If, then, Iblís too had become a worshipper (of Adam), he (Adam) would not have been Adam: he would have been another.

پس اگر ابلیس هم ساجد شدی ** او نبودی آدم او غیری بدی‏

At once the worship of every angel is the test of him, and the denial (of him) by that enemy (Iblís) is the proof of him.

هم سجود هر ملک میزان اوست ** هم جحود آن عدو برهان اوست‏

At once the acknowledgment (made) by the angels is witness for him, and the disbelief of that petty cur (Iblís) is witness for him.

هم گواه اوست اقرار ملک ** هم گواه اوست کفران سگک‏

Conclusion of the (story concerning the) trust of that deluded man in the fawningness of the bear.

تتمه اعتماد آن مغرور بر تملق خرس‏

The man fell asleep, and the bear kept driving away the flies (which were) on him, but in spite of him they soon came back again.

شخص خفت و خرس می‏راندش مگس ** وز ستیز آمد مگس زو باز پس‏