Rumi's Masnavi - He brought his head (close) to his ear, like one telling a secret; then he put the thing (which he had in his hand) to his (the tanner’s) nose;

He brought his head (close) to his ear, like one telling a secret; then he put the thing (which he had in his hand) to his (the tanner’s) nose; 290

سر به گوشش برد هم‌چون رازگو ** پس نهاد آن چیز بر بینی او

For he had rubbed the dog’s dung on his palm: he had deemed it (to be) the remedy for the polluted brain.

کو به کف سرگین سگ ساییده بود ** داروی مغز پلید آن دیده بود

A short while passed: the man began to move: the people said, “This was a wonderful charm;

ساعتی شد مرد جنبیدن گرفت ** خلق گفتند این فسونی بد شگفت

For this (youth) recited charms and breathed (them) into his ear: he was dead: the charms came to succour him.”

کین بخواند افسون به گوش او دمید ** مرده بود افسون به فریادش رسید

The movement of iniquitous folk is to the quarter in which there is fornication and ogling glances and eyebrows.

جنبش اهل فساد آن سو بود ** که زنا و غمزه و ابرو بود

Any one to whom the musk, admonition, is of no use must necessarily make himself familiar with the bad smell. 295

هر کرا مشک نصیحت سود نیست ** لا جرم با بوی بد خو کردنیست

God has called the polytheists najas (uncleanness)’ for the reason that they were born in dung from of old.

مشرکان را زان نجس خواندست حق ** کاندرون پشک زادند از سبق

The worm that has been born in dung will nevermore change its evil nature by means of ambergris.

کرم کو زادست در سرگین ابد ** می‌نگرداند به عنبر خوی خود

Since the largesse of sprinkled light did not strike upon him (the wicked man), he is wholly body, without heart (spirit), like (empty) husks.

چون نزد بر وی نثار رش نور ** او همه جسمست بی‌دل چون قشور

And if God gave him a portion of the sprinkled light, the dung hatched a bird, as is the custom in Egypt— so

ور ز رش نور حق قسمیش داد ** هم‌چو رسم مصر سرگین مرغ‌زاد

But not the cheap domestic fowl; nay, but the bird of know ledge and wisdom. 300

لیک نه مرغ خسیس خانگی ** بلک مرغ دانش و فرزانگی

“Thou resemblest that (wicked man) for thou art devoid of that light, inasmuch as thou art putting thy nose to filth.

تو بدان مانی کز آن نوری تهی ** زآنک بینی بر پلیدی می‌نهی

Because of being parted (from me) thy cheeks and face have become yellow (pale): thou art (a tree with) yellow leaves and unripened fruit,

از فراقت زرد شد رخسار و رو ** برگ زردی میوه‌ی ناپخته تو

The pot was blackened by the fire and became like smoke in colour, (but) the meat, on account of (its) hardness, has remained so raw as this!

دیگ ز آتش شد سیاه و دودفام ** گوشت از سختی چنین ماندست خام

Eight years have I boiled, thee in separation (from me): thy rawness and hypocrisy have not become less by a single mote.

هشت سالت جوش دادم در فراق ** کم نشد یک ذره خامیت و نفاق

Thy young grape is indurated; for through sickness the (other) young grapes are now raisins, while thou art (still) immature.” 305

غوره‌ی تو سنگ بسته کز سقام ** غوره‌ها اکنون مویزند و تو خام

How the lover begged to be excused for his sin, (but) with duplicity and dissimulation; and how the beloved perceived that also.

عذر خواستن آن عاشق از گناه خویش به تلبیس و روی پوش و فهم کردن معشوق آن را نیز

The lover said, “I made the trial—do not take offence—that I might see whether thou art a hetaera or a modest woman. [The lover said, “I made the trial—do not take offence—that I might see whether thou art a courtesan or a modest woman.]

گفت عاشق امتحان کردم مگیر ** تا ببینم تو حریفی یا ستیر

I was knowing (it) without the trial, but how should hearing be the same as seeing?

من همی دانستمت بی‌امتحان ** لیک کی باشد خبر هم‌چون عیان

Thou art (like) the sun: thy name is renowned and known to all: what harm is there if I have tested it?

آفتابی نام تو مشهور و فاش ** چه زیانست ار بکردم ابتلاش

Thou art I: every day I am making trial of myself in profit and loss (good and evil).

تو منی من خویشتن را امتحان ** می‌کنم هر روز در سود و زیان

The prophets were put to the trial by their enemies, with the result that miracles were displayed by them. 310

انبیا را امتحان کرده عدات ** تا شده ظاهر ازیشان معجزات

I made trial of my own eye with light, O thou from whose eyes may the evil eye be far!

امتحان چشم خود کردم به نور ** ای که چشم بد ز چشمان تو دور

This world is as the ruin, and thou the treasure (buried there): if I have made investigation concerning thy treasure, be not aggrieved.

این جهان هم‌چون خرابست و تو گنج ** گر تفحص کردم از گنجت مرنج

I recklessly committed such an indiscretion, that I may always boast (of thy virtue) to (thy) enemies;

زان چنین بی‌خردگی کردم گزاف ** تا زنم با دشمنان هر بار لاف

So that, when my tongue bestows a name on thee, my eye may give testimonies of this which I have seen.

تا زبانم چون ترا نامی نهد ** چشم ازین دیده گواهیها دهد