Rumi's Masnavi - True, heedlessness is (a manifestation of) Divine Wisdom and Bounty, in order that (his) stock-in-trade may not suddenly fly out of (his) hand;

True, heedlessness is (a manifestation of) Divine Wisdom and Bounty, in order that (his) stock-in-trade may not suddenly fly out of (his) hand;

غافلی هم حکمتست و نعمتست ** تا نپرد زود سرمایه ز دست

But not (heedlessness) so great that it becomes an incurable sore and a poison to the spirit and intellect of one who is sick. 2610

لیک نی چندانک ناسوری شود ** زهر جان و عقل رنجوری شود

Who, really, can find bazaars like this where with a single rose thou art buying (whole) roseries;

خود کی یابد این چنین بازار را ** که به یک گل می‌خری گلزار را

(Where) a hundred groves come (are offered) to thee in exchange for one seed, a hundred mines in exchange for one groat?

دانه‌ای را صد درختستان عوض ** حبه‌ای را آمدت صد کان عوض

Kána lilláh is the giving of that groat, in order that kána ’lláh lahú may come into (thy) hand;

کان لله دادن آن حبه است ** تا که کان‌الله له آید به دست

For this weak unstable hú (personality) was brought into being by the steadfast (permanent) hú of the Lord.

زآنک این هوی ضعیف بی‌قرار ** هست شد زان هوی رب پایدار

When the hú that passes away has surrendered itself to Him, it becomes everlasting and never dies. 2615

هوی فانی چونک خود فا او سپرد ** گشت باقی دایم و هرگز نمرد

(’Tis) like a drop of water (which is) afraid of wind (air) and earth; for by means of these twain it is made to pass away (and perish.

هم‌چو قطره‌ی خایف از باد و ز خاک ** که فنا گردد بدین هر دو هلاک

When it has leaped (thrown itself) into the sea, which was its source, it is delivered from the heat of the sun and from wind and earth.

چون به اصل خود که دریا بود جست ** از تف خورشید و باد و خاک رست

Its outward form has disappeared in the sea, but its essence is inviolate and permanent and goodly.

ظاهرش گم گشت در دریا و لیک ** ذات او معصوم و پا بر جا و نیک

Hark, O (thou who art like a) drop, give thyself up without repenting, that in recompense for the drop thou mayst gain the Ocean.

هین بده ای قطره خود را بی‌ندم ** تا بیابی در بهای قطره یم

Hark, O drop, bestow on thyself this honour, and in the hand of the Sea become safe from destruction. 2620

هین بده ای قطره خود را این شرف ** در کف دریا شو آمن از تلف

Whom indeed should fortune like this befall? A Sea has become the suitor for a drop.

خود کرا آید چنین دولت به دست ** قطره‌ای را بحری تقاضاگر شدست

In God's name, in God's name, sell and buy at once! Give a drop, and take (in return) the Sea which is full of pearls.

الله الله زود بفروش و بخر ** قطره‌ای ده بحر پر گوهر ببر

In God's name, in God's name, do not make any postponement, for these words (of Moses) come from the Sea of Grace.

الله الله هیچ تاخیری مکن ** که ز بحر لطف آمد این سخن

(All other) grace is lost (vanishes away) in (comparison with) this grace, that one of the lowest is going up to the Seventh Heaven.

لطف اندر لطف این گم می‌شود ** که اسفلی بر چرخ هفتم می‌شود

Hark, for a marvellous falcon has fallen to thee: no seeker will find it in (his) search.” 2625

هین که یک بازی فتادت بوالعجب ** هیچ طالب این نیابد در طلب

He (Pharaoh) said, “I will tell Hámán, O veiled (modest) one: the counsel of the vizier is necessary to the king.”

گفت با هامان بگویم ای ستیر ** شاه را لازم بود رای وزیر

She said, “Do not tell Hámán this secret: what should a blind decrepit old woman know about a falcon?”

گفت با هامان مگو این راز را ** کور کمپیری چه داند باز را

Story of the king's falcon and the decrepit old woman.

قصه‌ی باز پادشاه و کمپیر زن

(If) you give a white falcon to a decrepit old woman, she will clip its talons for the sake of (its supposed) welfare.

باز اسپیدی به کمپیری دهی ** او ببرد ناخنش بهر بهی

The blind old woman will blindly clip the talons which are the source of its usefulness in the chase,

ناخنی که اصل کارست و شکار ** کور کمپیری ببرد کوروار

Saying, “Where has thy mother been, that thy talons are so long, O prince?” 2630

که کجا بودست مادر که ترا ** ناخنان زین سان درازست ای کیا

She clipped its talons and beak and wings: the filthy old hag does this at the time of (at the time when she is moved by) affection.

ناخن و منقار و پرش را برید ** وقت مهر این می‌کند زال پلید

When she gives it tutmáj, it will not eat; (then) she is enraged and tears up her feelings of affection,

چونک تتماجش دهد او کم خورد ** خشم گیرد مهرها را بر درد

Saying, “I have cooked such (fine) tutmáj for thee, and thou art showing pride and insolence.

که چنین تتماج پختم بهر تو ** تو تکبر می‌نمایی و عتو