Rumi's Masnavi - “Unworthy folk,” said she, “have not kept thee in (good) trim: thy wings are overgrown and thy talons have become long.

“Unworthy folk,” said she, “have not kept thee in (good) trim: thy wings are overgrown and thy talons have become long.

گفت نااهلان نکردندت به ساز ** پر فزود از حد و ناخن شد دراز

Every unworthy one's hand makes thee ill: come to thy mother that she may take care of thee.”

دست هر نااهل بیمارت کند ** سوی مادر آ که تیمارت کند

Know, O friend, that such is the affection of the fool: the fool ever walks crookedly on the way.

مهر جاهل را چنین دان ای رفیق ** کژ رود جاهل همیشه در طریق‏

The King's day became late (far-spent) in searching (for the falcon): he went (at last) to the old woman and the tent (where she lived).

روز شه در جستجو بی‏گاه شد ** سوی آن کمپیر و آن خرگاه شد

Suddenly he espied the falcon amidst smoke and dust: the King wept sorely over it and made lament. 330

دید ناگه باز را در دود و گرد ** شه بر او بگریست زار و نوحه کرد

He said, “Albeit this is the retribution for thy deed, in that thou art not firm in keeping faith with me,

گفت هر چند این جز ای کار تست ** که نباشی در وفای ما درست‏

(Yet) how shouldst thou take flight from Paradise to Hell, heedless of (the text) the people of the Fire (and those of Paradise) are not equal?

چون کنی از خلد زی دوزخ فرار ** غافل از لا یستوی اصحاب نار

This is the fitting reward for one that unconscionably flees from the King who knows (him) well to the house of an old hag.”

این سزای آن که از شاه خبیر ** خیره بگریزد به خانه‏ی گنده پیر

(Meanwhile) the falcon was rubbing its wings against the King's hand: without tongue it was saying, “I have sinned.”

باز می‏مالید پر بر دست شاه ** بی‏زبان می‏گفت من کردم گناه‏

Where then should the vile (sinner) plead piteously, where should he moan, if Thou wilt accept naught but good, O bountiful (King)? 335

پس کجا زارد کجا نالد لئیم ** گر تو نپذیری بجز نیک ای کریم‏

The King's grace makes the soul sin-seeking, because the King makes every foul thing fair.

لطف شه جان را جنایت جو کند ** ز آنکه شه هر زشت را نیکو کند

Go, do not commit foulness, for (even) our fair deeds appear foul in the sight of our beauteous (Loved One).

رو مکن زشتی که نیکیهای ما ** زشت آمد پیش آن زیبای ما

You deemed your service worthy: thereby you raised the banner of sin.

خدمت خود را سزا پنداشتی ** تو لوای جرم از آن افراشتی‏

Forasmuch as praise and prayer were vouchsafed to you, through making that prayer your heart became vainglorious.

چون ترا ذکر و دعا دستور شد ** ز آن دعاکردن دلت مغرور شد

You regarded yourself as speaking (confidentially) with God. Oh, (there is) many a one that becomes separated (from God) by this opinion. 340

هم سخن دیدی تو خود را با خدا ** ای بسا کاو زین گمان افتد جدا

Although the King sit with you on the ground, know yourself and sit better (with more decorum and reverence).

گر چه با تو شه نشیند بر زمین ** خویشتن بشناس و نیکوتر نشین‏

The falcon said, “O King, I am penitent, I am converted, I am embracing Islam anew.

باز گفت ای شه پشیمان می‏شوم ** توبه کردم نو مسلمان می‏شوم‏

He whom Thou makest drunken and pot-valiant—if from drunkenness he walk crookedly, do Thou accept his excuse.

آن که تو مستش کنی و شیر گیر ** گر ز مستی کج رود عذرش پذیر

Though my talons are gone, when thou art mine I tear off the forelock of the sun;

گر چه ناخن رفت چون باشی مرا ** بر کنم من پرچم خورشید را

And though my wings are gone, when Thou art kind to me the heavenly sphere loses its play (ceases to revolve). 345

ور چه پرم رفت چون بنوازیم ** چرخ بازی گم کند در بازیم‏

If Thou bestow a belt on me, I will uproot the mountain; if Thou give me a pen, I will break the banners.

گر کمر بخشیم که را بر کنم ** گر دهی کلکی علمها بشکنم‏

After all, my body is not inferior to (that of) a gnat: with my wings I confound the kingdom of Nimrod.

آخر از پشه نه کم باشد تنم ** ملک نمرودی به پر بر هم زنم‏

Suppose me to be (as) the flocks of (small) birds in weakness, suppose every one of my enemies to be as the elephant,

در ضعیفی تو مرا بابیل گیر ** هر یکی خصم مرا چون پیل گیر

(Yet if) I cast a baked (clay) pellet the size of a hazelnut, my pellet in its effect is like (equal to) a hundred mangonels (ballistas).”

قدر فندق افکنم بندق حریق ** بندقم در فعل صد چون منجنیق‏

Moses came to battle with his one rod and made an onset against Pharaoh and (all) his swords. 350

موسی آمد در وغا با یک عصاش ** زد بر آن فرعون و بر شمشیرهاش‏