Rumi's Masnavi - Inasmuch as Solomon was rejoiced exceedingly by (the favour of) God, he had a birds' language (derived) from we have been taught.

Inasmuch as Solomon was rejoiced exceedingly by (the favour of) God, he had a birds' language (derived) from we have been taught.

چون سلیمان از خدا بشاش بود ** منطق الطیری ز علمناش بود

Understand that you are a bird of the (common) air because you have not beheld the esoteric birds. 4015

تو از آن مرغ هوایی فهم کن ** که ندیدستی طیور من لدن

The home of the Símurghs is beyond (Mt) Qáf: it is not (like) a hand-loom (easily accessible) to any imagination,

جای سیمرغان بود آن سوی قاف ** هر خیالی را نباشد دست‌باف

But only to the imagination that beholds it by chance and then, after the vision, is parted (from it)—

جز خیالی را که دید آن اتفاق ** آنگهش بعدالعیان افتد فراق

Not a parting that involves severance, (but a parting) for a wise purpose; for that high estate is secure from every (real) parting.

نه فراق قطع بهر مصلحت ** که آمنست از هر فراق آن منقبت

In order to preserve the spiritual body the (Divine) Sun for a time withdraws (His beams) from the snow.

بهر استبقاء آن روحی جسد ** آفتاب از برف یک‌دم درکشد

Seek good for thy soul from them (who have attained unto God): beware, do not steal mystical expressions from their language. 4020

بهر جان خویش جو زیشان صلاح ** هین مدزد از حرف ایشان اصطلاح

Zalíkhá had applied to Joseph the name of everything, from rue-seed to aloeswood.

آن زلیخا از سپندان تا به عود ** نام جمله چیز یوسف کرده بود

She concealed his name in (all other) names and made the inner meaning thereof known to (none but her) confidants.

نام او در نامها مکتوم کرد ** محرمان را سر آن معلوم کرد

When she said, “The wax is softened by the fire,” this meant, “My beloved is very fond of me.”

چون بگفتی موم ز آتش نرم شد ** این بدی کان یار با ما گرم شد

And if she said, “Look, the moon is risen”; or if she said, “The willow-bough is green (with new leaves)”;

ور بگفتی مه برآمد بنگرید ** ور بگفتی سبز شد آن شاخ بید

Or if she said, “The leaves are quivering mightily”; or if she said, “The rue-seed is burning merrily”; 4025

ور بگفتی برگها خوش می‌طپند ** ور بگفتی خوش همی‌سوزد سپند

Or if she said, “The rose has told her secret to the nightingale”; or if she said, “The king has disclosed his passion for Shahnáz”;

ور بگفتی گل به بلبل راز گفت ** ور بگفتی شه سر شهناز گفت

Or if she said, “How auspicious is Fortune!” or if she said, “Give the furniture a good dusting”;

ور بگفتی چه همایونست بخت ** ور بگفتی که بر افشانید رخت

Or if she said, “The water-carrier has brought the water”; or if she said, “The sun is risen”;

ور بگفتی که سقا آورد آب ** ور بگفتی که بر آمد آفتاب

Or if she said, “Last night they cooked a potful of food” or “The vegetables are cooked to perfection”;

ور بگفتی دوش دیگی پخته‌اند ** یا حوایج از پزش یک لخته‌اند

Or if she said, “The loaves have no salt (savour)”; or if she said, “The heavenly sphere is going round in the contrary direction”; 4030

ور بگفتی هست نانها بی‌نمک ** ور بگفتی عکس می‌گردد فلک

Or if she said, “My head aches”; or if she said, “My headache is better”—

ور بگفتی که به درد آمد سرم ** ور بگفتی درد سر شد خوشترم

If she praised, ’twas his (Joseph's) caresses (that she meant); and if she blamed, ’twas separation from him (that she meant).

گر ستودی اعتناق او بدی ** ور نکوهیدی فراق او بدی

If she piled up a hundred thousand names, her meaning and intention was always Joseph.

صد هزاران نام گر بر هم زدی ** قصد او و خواه او یوسف بدی

Were she hungry, as soon as she spoke his name she would be filled (with spiritual food) and intoxicated by his cup.

گرسنه بودی چو گفتی نام او ** می‌شدی او سیر و مست جام او

Her thirst would be quenched by his name: the name of Joseph was a sherbet to her soul; 4035

تشنگیش از نام او ساکن شدی ** نام یوسف شربت باطن شدی

And if she were in pain, her pain would immediately be turned into profit by that exalted name.

ور بدی دردیش زان نام بلند ** درد او در حال گشتی سودمند

In cold weather it was a fur to her. This, this (is what) the Beloved's name can do (when one is) in love.

وقت سرما بودی او را پوستین ** این کند در عشق نام دوست این

The vulgar are always pronouncing the Holy Name, (but) it does not do this work (for them) since they are not endowed with (true) love.

عام می‌خوانند هر دم نام پاک ** این عمل نکند چو نبود عشقناک