Rumi's Masnavi - When the bread was spirit, it was beneficial; since it became form, it rouses disbelief.

When the bread was spirit, it was beneficial; since it became form, it rouses disbelief.

نان چو معنی بود خوردش سود بود ** چون که صورت گشت انگیزد جحود

As (for example) the green thistles which a camel eats, and gains from eating them a hundred benefits and pleasures:

همچو خار سبز کاشتر می‌‌خورد ** ز ان خورش صد نفع و لذت می‌‌برد

When the camel from the desert eats those same thistles, after their greenness is gone and they have become dry, 3995

چون که آن سبزیش رفت و خشک گشت ** چون همان را می‌‌خورد اشتر ز دشت‌‌

They rend his palate and cheek— oh, alas that such a well-nourished rose became a sword!

می‌‌دراند کام و لنجش ای دریغ ** کان چنان ورد مربی گشت تیغ‌‌

When the bread was spirit, it was (like) the green thistles; since it became form, it is now dry and gross.

نان چو معنی بود بود آن خار سبز ** چون که صورت شد کنون خشک است و گبز

According as thou hadst formerly been in the habit of eating it, O gracious being,

تو بدان عادت که او را پیش از این ** خورده بودی ای وجود نازنین

In the same hope thou (still) are eating this dry stuff, after the spirit has become mingled with clay.

بر همان بو می‌‌خوری این خشک را ** بعد از آن کامیخت معنی با ثری‌‌

It has become mixed with earth and dry and flesh-cutting: abstain now from that herbage, O camel! 4000

گشت خاک آمیز و خشک و گوشت بر ** ز آن گیاه اکنون بپرهیز ای شتر

The words are coming (forth) very earth-soiled; the water has become turbid: stop up the mouth of the well,

سخت خاک آلود می‌‌آید سخن ** آب تیره شد سر چه بند کن‌‌

That God may again make it pure and sweet, that He who made it turbid may likewise make it pure.

تا خدایش باز صاف و خوش کند ** او که تیره کرد هم صافش کند

Patience brings the object of desire, not Haste. Have patience—and God knoweth best what is right.

صبر آرد آرزو را نه شتاب ** صبر کن و الله اعلم بالصواب‌‌