Rumi's Masnavi - 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)!

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

(But keep on the right road, for when) the sun in heaven jumps crookedly, He causes it to be eclipsed in black disgrace, 930

آفتاب اندر فلک کژ می‌جهد ** در سیه‌روزی خسوفش می‌دهد

Saying, “Avoid the (Dragon's) Tail: hark, take heed, lest thou become black of face like a cooking-pot.”

کز ذنب پرهیز کن هین هوش‌دار ** تا نگردی تو سیه‌رو دیگ‌وار