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

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

The cloud, too, is lashed with a whip of fire, (as through to say), “Go that way, do not go this way!

ابر را هم تازیانه‌ی آتشین ** می‌زنندش کانچنان رو نه چنین

Rain upon such and such a valley, do not rain in this quarter”: He reprimands it, saying, “Give ear!

بر فلان وادی ببار این سو مبار ** گوشمالش می‌دهد که گوش دار

Thy reason is not superior to a sun: do not stay in (dally with) a thought that has been forbidden.

عقل تو از آفتابی بیش نیست ** اندر آن فکری که نهی آمد مه‌ایست

O Reason, do not thou too step crookedly, lest that eclipse of (the bright) face befall (thee). 935

کژ منه ای عقل تو هم گام خویش ** تا نیاید آن خسوف رو به پیش

When (thy) sin is less, thou wilt see half the sun eclipsed and half radiant,

چون گنه کمتر بود نیم آفتاب ** منکسف بینی و نیمی نورتاب

For I punish thee in proportion to thy sin: this is the principle laid down for justice and retribution.

که به قدر جرم می‌گیرم ترا ** این بود تقریر در داد و جزا

Whether (thou art) good or bad or open or secret, I am He that overheareth and overseeth all things.”

خواه نیک و خواه بد فاش و ستیر ** بر همه اشیا سمیعیم و بصیر

Leave this topic, O father: New Year's Day is come: the creatures have had their mouths made sweet by the Creator.

زین گذر کن ای پدر نوروز شد ** خلق از خلاق خوش پدفوز شد

The spiritual Water (of Life) has returned into our river-bed, our King has returned into our street. 940

باز آمد آب جان در جوی ما ** باز آمد شاه ما در کوی ما