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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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”;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

That (miracle) which Jesus had wrought by (pronouncing) the Name of Hú (God) was manifested to her through the name of him (Joseph).

When the soul has been united with God, to speak of that (God) is (to speak of) this (soul), and to speak of this (soul) is (to speak of) that (God). 4040

She was empty of self and filled with love for her friend (Joseph), and (as the proverb says), “A pot drips what is in it.”

The scent of the saffron of union produces (happy) laughter; the smell of the onion of absence (produces) tears.

Every (other) one has in his heart a hundred objects of desire, (but) this is not the way of love and fondness.

Love's sun in the day-time is the (Face of the) Beloved: the sun is as a veil over that Face.