Inasmuch as every part (of the body) seeks support, what must be the state of the soul, a stranger, in separation (from its home)?
چونک هر جزوی بجوید ارتفاق ** چون بود جان غریب اندر فراق
How likewise the soul is drawn to the world of spirits, and how it craves and desires its home, and becomes severed from the bodily parts which are a fetter on the leg of the spiritual falcon.
منجذب شدن جان نیز به عالم ارواح و تقاضای او و میل او به مقر خود و منقطع شدن از اجزای اجسام کی هم کندهی پای باز روحاند
It (the soul) says, “O my base earthly parts, my exile is more bitter (than yours): I am celestial.”4435
گوید ای اجزای پست فرشیم ** غربت من تلختر من عرشیم
The desire of the body for green herbs and running water is because its origin is from those;
میل تن در سبزه و آب روان ** زان بود که اصل او آمد از آن
The desire of the soul is for Life and for the Living One, because its origin is the Infinite Soul.
میل جان اندر حیات و در حی است ** زانک جان لامکان اصل وی است
The desire of the soul is for wisdom and the sciences; the desire of the body is for orchards and meadows and vines.
میل جان در حکمتست و در علوم ** میل تن در باغ و راغست و کروم
That exaltedness too hath desire and love towards the soul: from this (fact) understand (the meaning of) He loves them and they love (Him).
میل جان اندر ترقی و شرف ** میل تن در کسب و اسباب علف
That exaltedness too hath desire and love towards the soul: from this (fact) understand (the meaning of) He loves them and they love (Him).4440
میل و عشق آن شرف هم سوی جان ** زین یحب را و یحبون را بدان
If I explain this, ’twill be endless: the Mathnawí will amount to eighty volumes.
حاصل آنک هر که او طالب بود ** جان مطلوبش درو راغب بود
The gist is that whenever any one seeks, the soul of the object sought by him is desiring him.
گر بگویم شرح این بی حد شود ** مثنوی هشتاد تا کاغذ شود
(Whether it be) man, animal, plant, or mineral, every object of desire is in love with everything that is without (has not attained to) the object of desire.
آدمی حیوان نباتی و جماد ** هر مرادی عاشق هر بیمراد
Those who are without their object of desire attach themselves to an object of desire, and those desired ones draw them (on);
بیمرادان بر مرادی میتنند ** و آن مرادان جذب ایشان میکنند
But the desire of the lovers makes them lean, (while) the desire of the loved ones makes them fair and beauteous.4445
لیک میل عاشقان لاغر کند ** میل معشوقان خوش و خوشفر کند
The love of the loved ones illumines the cheeks; the love of the lover consumes his soul.
عشق معشوقان دو رخ افروخته ** عشق عاشق جان او را سوخته
The amber loves (the straw) with the appearance of wanting naught, (while) the straw is making efforts (to advance) on that long road.
کهربا عاشق به شکل بینیاز ** کاه میکوشد در آن راه دراز
Leave this (topic). The love of that thirsty-mouthed man shone (was reflected) in the breast of the Sadr-i Jahán.
این رها کن عشق آن تشنهدهان ** تافت اندر سینهی صدر جهان
The smoke of the love and pain of the fire-temple (his burning heart) entered his lord (and) turned into compassion.
دود آن عشق و غم آتشکده ** رفته در مخدوم او مشفق شده
But on account of (his) glory and pride and magnificence he was ashamed to inquire for him:4450
لیکش از ناموس و بوش و آب رو ** شرم میآمد که وا جوید ازو
His mercy had begun to yearn after that lowly man, (but) his majesty hindered (him) from (showing) this kindness.
رحمتش مشتاق آن مسکین شده ** سلطنت زین لطف مانع آمده
The intellect is bewildered, wondering whether this one (the Sadr-i Jahán) attracted him (the lover), or whether the attraction came from that quarter (from the lover) to this side.
عقل حیران کین عجب او را کشید ** یا کشش زان سو بدینجانب رسید
Abandon presumption, for thou art ignorant of this. Close thy lips: God best knoweth the secret.
ترک جلدی کن کزین ناواقفی ** لب ببند الله اعلم بالخفی
Henceforth I will bury this topic. That Drawer is drawing me (in another direction): what can I do?
این سخن را بعد ازین مدفون کنم ** آن کشنده میکشد من چون کنم
Who is he that is drawing thee, O solicitous one? He who doth not allow thee to utter this word.4455
کیست آن کت میکشد ای معتنی ** آنک مینگذاردت کین دم زنی
Thou makest a hundred resolutions to journey (to a certain spot): He draweth thee to some other place.
صد عزیمت میکنی بهر سفر ** میکشاند مر ترا جای دگر
He turns the (horse's) bridle in every direction in order that the untrained horse may gain knowledge of the rider.
زان بگرداند به هر سو آن لگام ** تا خبر یابد ز فارس اسپ خام
The clever horse is well-paced because it knows that the rider is (mounted) on it.
اسپ زیرکسار زان نیکو پیست ** کو همیداند که فارس بر ویست