Rumi's Masnavi - What has the moon to do with stoutness and thinness? She runs at the heels of the sun, like a shadow.

What has the moon to do with stoutness and thinness? She runs at the heels of the sun, like a shadow. 905

ماه را با زفتی و زاری چه کار ** در پی خورشید پوید سایه‌وار

Any one who offers to make a settlement with (the Divine) destiny is mocking at his own moustache.

با قضا هر کو قراری می‌دهد ** ریش‌خند سبلت خود می‌کند

A straw in the face of the wind, and then (the idea of) a settlement! A Resurrection (going on), and then the resolve to act (independently)!

کاه‌برگی پیش باد آنگه قرار ** رستخیزی وانگهانی عزم‌کار

In the hand of Love I am like a cat in a bag, now lifted high and now flung low by Love.

گربه در انبانم اندر دست عشق ** یک‌دمی بالا و یک‌دم پست عشق

He is whirling me round His head: I have no rest either below or aloft.

او همی‌گرداندم بر گرد سر ** نه به زیر آرام دارم نه زبر

The lovers (of God) have fallen into a fierce torrent: they have set their hearts on (resigned themselves to) the ordinance of Love. 910

عاشقان در سیل تند افتاده‌اند ** بر قضای عشق دل بنهاده‌اند

(They are) like the millstone turning, day and night, in (continual) revolution and moaning incessantly.

هم‌چو سنگ آسیا اندر مدار ** روز و شب گردان و نالان بی‌قرار

Its turning is evidence for those who seek the River, lest any one should say that the River is motionless.

گردشش بر جوی جویان شاهدست ** تا نگوید کس که آن جو راکدست

If thou seest not the hidden River, see the (perpetual) turning of the celestial water-wheel.

گر نمی‌بینی تو جو را در کمین ** گردش دولاب گردونی ببین

Since the heavens have no rest from (being moved by) Him (Love), (be) thou, O heart, like a star, (and) seek no rest.

چون قراری نیست گردون را ازو ** ای دل اختروار آرامی مجو

If thou lay hold of a branch, how should He let (thee cling to it)? Wherever thou makest an attachment, He will break it. 915

گر زنی در شاخ دستی کی هلد ** هر کجا پیوند سازی بسکلد

If thou seest not the revolutionary action of the (Divine) decree, look at the surging and whirling (that appears) in the (four) elements;

گر نمی‌بینی تو تدویر قدر ** در عناصر جوشش و گردش نگر

For the whirling of the sticks and straws and foam are caused by the boiling of the noble Sea (of Love).

زانک گردشهای آن خاشاک و کف ** باشد از غلیان بحر با شرف

See the giddy wind howling; see the billows surging at His command.

باد سرگردان ببین اندر خروش ** پیش امرش موج دریا بین بجوش

The sun and moon are two mill-oxen, going round and round and keeping watch (over the world).

آفتاب و ماه دو گاو خراس ** گرد می‌گردند و می‌دارند پاس

The stars likewise run from house to house (in the sky) and convey every good and evil fortune. 920

اختران هم خانه خانه می‌دوند ** مرکب هر سعد و نحسی می‌شوند

Hark, though the stars of heaven are far away and thy senses are (too) dull and slack (to apprehend their motions),

اختران چرخ گر دورند هی ** وین حواست کاهل‌اند و سست‌پی

(Yet ask thyself) where are our stars—eye, ear, and mind—at night, and where (are they) when we are awake?

اختران چشم و گوش و هوش ما ** شب کجااند و به بیداری کجا

Now (they are) in good luck and union and happiness; now in ill-luck and separation and insensibility.

گاه در سعد و وصال و دلخوشی ** گاه در نحس فراق و بیهشی

Since the moon of heaven is (engaged) in making this circuit, she is sometimes dark and sometimes bright.

ماه گردون چون درین گردیدنست ** گاه تاریک و زمانی روشنست

Sometimes ’tis spring and summer, (delicious) as honey and milk; sometimes (the world is) a place of punishment by snow and piercing cold. 925

گه بهار و صیف هم‌چون شهد و شیر ** گه سیاستگاه برف و زمهریر

Seeing that before Him (God) universals are like a ball, subject (to Him) and prostrating themselves before His bat,

چونک کلیات پیش او چو گوست ** سخره و سجده کن چوگان اوست

How shouldst thou, O heart, which art (but) one of these hundred thousand particulars, not be in restless movement at His decree?

تو که یک جزوی دلا زین صدهزار ** چون نباشی پیش حکمش بی‌قرار

Be at the disposal of the Prince, like a horse (or mule), now confined in the stable, now going (on the road).

چون ستوری باش در حکم امیر ** گه در آخر حبس گاهی در مسیر

When He fastens thee to a peg, be fastened (quiet and submissive); when He looses thee, go, be exultant (prance and bound).

چونک بر میخت ببندد بسته باش ** چونک بگشاید برو بر جسته باش