Rumi's Masnavi - “Then,” said he, “I will ask about money. How much money (have you)?—for you are a solitary wanderer and one whose counsel is prized.

“Then,” said he, “I will ask about money. How much money (have you)?—for you are a solitary wanderer and one whose counsel is prized.

گفت پس از نقد پرسم نقد چند ** که تویی تنها رو و محبوب پند

With you is the elixir which changes the copper of the world (into) gold: your understanding and knowledge are inlaid with pearls.”

کیمیای مس عالم با تو است ** عقل و دانش را گهر تو بر تو است‏

“By God,” he replied, “O chief of the Arabs, in my whole property there is not the means of (buying) food for the night.

گفت و الله نیست یا وجه العرب ** در همه ملکم وجوه قوت شب‏

I run about with bare feet and naked body. If any one will give me a loaf of bread—thither I go.

پا برهنه تن برهنه می‏دوم ** هر که نانی می‏دهد آن جا روم‏

From this wisdom and learning and excellence (of mind) I have got nothing but phantasy and headache.” 3195

مر مرا زین حکمت و فضل و هنر ** نیست حاصل جز خیال و درد سر

Then the Arab said to him, “Begone far from my side, so that your ill-luck may not rain upon me.

پس عرب گفتش که شو دور از برم ** تا نبارد شومی تو بر سرم‏

Take far away from me that unlucky wisdom of yours: your speech is unlucky for (all) the people of the time.

دور بر آن حکمت شومت ز من ** نطق تو شرم است بر اهل زمن‏

Either go you in that direction, and I will run in this direction; or if your way be forwards, I will go back.

یا تو آن سو رو من این سو می‏دوم ** ور ترا ره پیش من واپس روم‏

One sack of wheat and the other of sand is better for me than these vain contrivings.

یک جوالم گندم و دیگر ز ریگ ** به بود زین حیله‏های مرده‏ریگ‏

My foolishness is a very blessed foolishness, for my heart is well furnished (with spiritual graces) and my soul is devout.” 3200

احمقی‏ام بس مبارک احمقی است ** که دلم با برگ و جانم متقی است‏

If thou desire that misery should vanish (from thee), endeavour that wisdom should vanish from thee—

گر تو خواهی کت شقاوت کم شود ** جهد کن تا از تو حکمت کم شود

The wisdom which is born of (human) nature and phantasy, the wisdom which lacks the overflowing grace of the Light of the Glorious (God).

حکمتی کز طبع زاید وز خیال ** حکمتی بی‏فیض نور ذو الجلال‏

The wisdom of this world brings increase of supposition and doubt; the wisdom of the Religion bears (one) above the sky.

حکمت دنیا فزاید ظن و شک ** حکمت دینی برد فوق فلک‏

The ingenious rascals of (this) latter time have aggrandised themselves over the ancients;

زوبعان زیرک آخر زمان ** بر فزوده خویش بر پیشینیان‏

The (apt) learners of cunning have burnt (consumed) their hearts (in study) and have learned feints and tricks; 3205

حیله آموزان جگرها سوخته ** فعل‏ها و مکرها آموخته‏

They have thrown to the winds patience and altruism and self-sacrifice and generosity—(qualities) which are the elixir of (spiritual) profit.

صبر و ایثار و سخای نفس و جود ** باد داده کان بود اکسیر سود

The (right) thought is that which opens a way: the (right) way is that on which a (spiritual) king advances.

فکر آن باشد که بگشاید رهی ** راه آن باشد که پیش آید شهی‏

The (true) king is he that goes into the presence of the King, and is not made king by treasuries and armies;

شاه آن باشد که از خود شه بود ** نه به مخزنها و لشکر شه شود

So that his kingship remains unto everlasting, like the glory of the empire of the Mohammedan Religion.

تا بماند شاهی او سرمدی ** همچو عز ملک دین احمدی‏

The miracles of Ibráhím son of Adham on the seashore.

کرامات ابراهیم ادهم بر لب دریا

Thus, it is related of Ibráhím son of Adham that after a journey he sat down (to rest) by the edge of the sea. 3210

هم ز ابراهیم ادهم آمده ست ** کاو ز راهی بر لب دریا نشست‏

(Whilst) that spiritual king was stitching his mantle, an Amír suddenly came to that spot.

دلق خود می‏دوخت آن سلطان جان ** یک امیری آمد آن جا ناگهان‏

That Amír had been one of the Shaykh's servants; he recognized the Shaykh and at once bowed low.

آن امیر از بندگان شیخ بود ** شیخ را بشناخت سجده کرد زود

He was astounded at the Shaykh and at his dervish garb— (for) his nature and outward guise had become transformed—

خیره شد در شیخ و اندر دلق او ** شکل دیگر گشته خلق و خلق او

(Marvelling) that he gave up such a grand kingdom, and chose that very pettifogging (spiritual) poverty;

کاو رها کرد آن چنان ملک شگرف ** بر گزید آن فقر بس باریک حرف‏

(And why) he renounced the sovereignty of the Seven Climes, and plies the needle on his dervish-cloak, like a beggar. 3215

ترک کرد او ملک هفت اقلیم را ** می‏زند بر دلق سوزن چون گدا