Rumi's Masnavi - Whoever drank that milk on the Day of Alast distinguishes the milk (in this world), even as Moses (distinguished and knew his mother's milk).

Whoever drank that milk on the Day of Alast distinguishes the milk (in this world), even as Moses (distinguished and knew his mother's milk). 2970

هر که در روز أ لست آن شیر خورد ** همچو موسی شیر را تمییز کرد

If thou wishest fondly for thy child's discrimination (and recognition), suckle (him) now, O mother of Moses,

گر تو بر تمییز طفلت مولعی ** این زمان یا ام موسی ارضعی‏

That he may know the taste of his mother's milk, and that his head may not sink to (desire and accept the milk of) a bad nurse.

تا ببیند طعم شیر مادرش ** تا فرو ناید بدایه‏ی بد سرش‏

Explaining the moral of the story of the person seeking (the lost) camel.

شرح فایده‏ی حکایت آن شخص شتر جوینده‏

You have lost a camel, O trusty (friend), and every one is giving you a clue to the camel.

اشتری گم کرده‏ای ای معتمد ** هر کسی ز اشتر نشانت می‏دهد

You know not where the camel is, but you know that these clues are wrong.

تو نمی‏دانی که آن اشتر کجاست ** لیک دانی کاین نشانیها خطاست‏

And he that has not lost a camel—he (too) in contention seeks a camel, just like him who has (really) lost it, 2975

و انکه اشتر گم نکرد او از مری ** همچو آن گم کرده جوید اشتری‏

Saying, “Yes; I too have lost a camel: I have brought a reward for any one who may find it.”

که بلی من هم شتر گم کرده‏ام ** هر که یابد اجرتش آورده‏ام‏

(He says this) that he may take a partner's share with you in the camel: he plays this trick because of coveting the camel.

تا در اشتر با تو انبازی کند ** بهر طمع اشتر این بازی کند

If you say to any one, “That clue was false,” he (the pretender), in imitation of you, says the same.

هر چه را گویی خطا بود آن نشان ** او به تقلید تو می‏گوید همان‏

He does not know wrong clues from right, but your words are a cue to that imitator.

او نشان کژ بنشناسد ز راست ** لیک گفتت آن مقلد را عصاست‏

When they mention right and likely clues, then comes to you the certainty in which there is no doubt. 2980

چون نشان راست گویند و شبیه ** پس یقین گردد ترا لا ریب فیه‏

That (clue) becomes balm to your sick soul; it becomes (brings) colour to your face and health and strength to you.

آن شفای جان رنجورت شود ** رنگ روی و صحت و زورت شود

Your eye becomes bright, your foot nimble; your body becomes (the vital) soul, and your (vital) soul (the rational) spirit.

چشم تو روشن شود پایت دوان ** جسم تو جان گردد و جانت روان‏

Then you will say, “O trusted (friend), you have spoken the truth: these clues are a clear deliverance (communication and message).

پس بگویی راست گفتی ای امین ** این نشانیها بلاغ آمد مبین‏

Therein are (manifest) signs, sure informations, (distinct) evidences: this is a title-deed and an ordainment of salvation.”

فیه آیات ثقات بینات ** این براتی باشد و قدر نجات‏

When he has given this clue, you will say, “Go before (me)! It is time for (setting out on) the enterprise: be thou the leader! 2985

این نشان چون داد گویی پیش رو ** وقت آهنگ است پیش آهنگ شو

I will follow thee, O truth-teller: thou hast got scent of my camel: show (me) where (it is).”

پی روی تو کنم ای راست گو ** بوی بردی ز اشترم بنما که کو

(But) to that person who is not the owner of a camel, and who is (engaged) in this quest of the camel for contention's sake—

پیش آن کس که نه صاحب اشتری ست ** کاو در این جست شتر بهر مری ست‏

His certainty is not increased by this right clue, save through reflexion from the true camel-seeker.

زین نشان راست نفزودش یقین ** جز ز عکس ناقه جوی راستین‏

From his (the latter's) earnestness and ardour he (the imitator) gets a scent (inkling) that these wild outcries of his are not (mere) babble.

بوی برد از جد و گرمیهای او ** که گزافه نیست این هیهای او

He (the imitator) had no just claim to this camel, but he too has lost a camel; yes, (he has). 2990

اندر این اشتر نبودش حق ولی ** اشتری گم کرده است او هم بلی‏

Desire for another's camel has become a veil to him, (so that) he has forgotten what he (himself) has lost.

طمع ناقه‏ی غیر رو پوشش شده ** آنچ ازو گم شد فراموشش شده‏

Wherever he (the owner) runs, this one (the imitator) runs: from cupidity, he becomes a partner in the owner's pain.

هر کجا او می‏دود این می‏دود ** از طمع هم درد صاحب می‏شود

When a liar sets out (to journey) with a truthful man, his falsehood turns to truth of a sudden.

کاذبی یا صادقی چون شد روان ** آن دروغش راستی شد ناگهان‏

In the desert whither that camel had hastened, the other one (the imitator) also found his own camel.

اندر آن صحرا که آن اشتر شتافت ** اشتر خود نیز آن دیگر بیافت‏