Rumi's Masnavi - That which is a beggar of sensuality—call it imagination: imagination is the counterfeit of the sterling gold of the rational faculties.

That which is a beggar of sensuality—call it imagination: imagination is the counterfeit of the sterling gold of the rational faculties.

وهم خوانش آنک شهوت را گداست ** وهم قلب نقد زر عقلهاست

Without a touchstone, imagination and reason are not clearly distinguished: quickly bring both to the touchstone.

بی‌محک پیدا نگردد وهم و عقل ** هر دو را سوی محک کن زود نقل

The Qur’án and the (spiritual) state of the Prophets are this touchstone: they, like a touchstone, say to the counterfeit coin, “Come,

این محک قرآن و حال انبیا ** چون منحک مر قلب را گوید بیا

That by contact with me thou mayst see thyself (and know) that thou art not worthy of my higher and lower (degrees of spirituality).” 2305

تا ببینی خویش را ز آسیب من ** که نه‌ای اهل فراز و شیب من

If a saw make Reason (to be severed into) two halves, it (Reason) will be smiling like gold in the fire.

عقل را گر اره‌ای سازد دو نیم ** هم‌چو زر باشد در آتش او بسیم

Imagination belongs to Pharaoh, the world-incendiary; Reason to Moses, the spirit-enkindler.

وهم مر فرعون عالم‌سوز را ** عقل مر موسی به جان افروز را

Moses went on the way of non-existence (self-negation): Pharaoh said to him, “Tell (me), who art thou?”

رفت موسی بر طریق نیستی ** گفت فرعونش بگو تو کیستی

He said, “I am Reason, the messenger of the Almighty: I am the proof of God, I am the protection against error.”

گفت من عقلم رسول ذوالجلال ** حجةالله‌ام امانم از ضلال

“Nay,” said he, “hush, cease from (this ecstatic) outcry: tell (me) thy ancient lineage and name.” 2310

گفت نی خامش رها کن های هو ** نسبت و نام قدیمت را بگو

“My lineage,” he said, “(is derived) from His dust-pit; my original name is ‘the meanest of His slaves.’

گفت که نسبت مر از خاکدانش ** نام اصلم کمترین بندگانش

I am the slave-born (slave) of that unique Lord—born of the (womb and) loins of slaves female and male.

بنده‌زاده‌ی آن خداوند وحید ** زاده از پشت جواری و عبید

My original lineage (is derived) from earth and water and clay: God gave unto water and clay a soul and heart.

نسبت اصلم ز خاک و آب و گل ** آب و گل را داد یزدان جان و دل

To earth also will return this earthen body of mine; to earth thou likewise wilt return, O terrible one.

مرجع این جسم خاکم هم به خاک ** مرجع تو هم به خاک ای سهمناک

Our origin and the origin of all the proud is from a piece of earth, and (there are) a hundred signs thereof; 2315

اصل ما و اصل جمله سرکشان ** هست از خاکی و آن را صد نشان

For thy body receives support (sustenance) from the earth, and from earthly nutriment thy neck is wrapped in folds (of flesh).

که مدد از خاک می‌گیرد تنت ** از غذایی خاک پیچد گردنت

When the spirit departs, it (the body) will again become earth in the dreaded and horrible grave.

چون رود جان می‌شود او باز خاک ** اندر آن گور مخوف سهمناک

Both thou and we and all who resemble thee will become earth, and thy power will remain no more.”

هم تو و هم ما و هم اشباه تو ** خاک گردند و نماند جاه تو

He (Pharaoh) said, “Thou hast a name other than this lineage: truly that name is more proper for thee—

گفت غیر این نسب نامیت هست ** مر ترا آن نام خود اولیترست

‘Slave of Pharaoh and slave of his slaves,’ (a slave) whose body and soul were first nurtured by him (Pharaoh), 2320

بنده‌ی فرعون و بنده‌ی بندگانش ** که ازو پرورد اول جسم و جانش

A hostile, insolent and unrighteous slave, who fled from this country on account of an ill-omened deed.

بنده‌ی یاغی طاغی ظلوم ** زین وطن بگریخته از فعل شوم

Thou art a murderer and treacherous and ungrateful: from just these qualities, forsooth, form a judgement (as to the rest).

خونی و غداری و حق‌ناشناس ** هم برین اوصاف خود می‌کن قیاس

(Thou art) in exile, despised and poor and threadbare, since thou didst not acknowledge gratitude and obligation to me.”

در غریبی خوار و درویش و خلق ** که ندانستی سپاس ما و حق

He (Moses) said, “Far be it that any other person should be a partner in Lordship with that King.

گفت حاشا که بود با آن ملیک ** در خداوندی کسی دیگر شریک

(He is) One: He hath no associate in Kingship; His slaves have no master but Him. 2325

واحد اندر ملک او را یار نی ** بندگانش را جز او سالار نی

His creatures have no other owner: does any one claim partnership with Him except one that is doomed to perish?

نیست خلقش را دگر کس مالکی ** شرکتش دعوی کند جز هالکی