Rumi's Masnavi - For (when) the heat of the sun of lust strikes upon it, that vile bat of thine flaps its wings.

For (when) the heat of the sun of lust strikes upon it, that vile bat of thine flaps its wings. 1060

Lead it manfully to the (spiritual) warfare and battle: God will reward thee with access (to Him).

When that man brought the dragon into the hot air, the insolent brute became well (again),

Inevitably it wrought those mischiefs, my dear friend, (and others) too, twenty times as many as we have told.

Dost thou hope, without using violence, to keep it bound in quiet and faithfulness?

How should this wish be fulfilled for any worthless one? It needs a Moses to kill the dragon. 1065

By his dragon hundreds of thousands of people were killed in the rout, as he had designed.

How Pharaoh threatened Moses, on whom be peace.

Pharaoh said to him, “Why didst thou, O Kalím, kill the people and cause fear to fall (on them)?

The people were put to flight and rout by thee; in the rout the folk were killed through slipping (and being crushed to death).

Necessarily, the folk have come to regard thee as their enemy; (both) men and women have conceived hatred of thee in their breasts.

Thou wert calling the people to (follow) thee, (but) it has turned out contrariwise: the folk cannot but resist thee. 1070

I too, though I am creeping (shrinking) back from thy malice, am concocting a plan to requite thee.

Put away from thine heart the thought that thou wilt deceive me or that thou wilt get any follower but thy shadow.

Be not deluded by that which thou hast contrived: thou hast (only) cast terror into the hearts of the people.

Thou mayst bring (forward) a hundred such (devices), and thou wilt be exposed in the same way; thou wilt become despicable and the laughing-stock of the mob.

Many have been impostors like thee, (but) in our Egypt they have been brought to disgrace in the end.” 1075

The answer of Moses to Pharaoh concerning the threats which he made against him.

He (Moses) said, “I admit nothing as co-partner with the command of God: if His command shall shed my blood, there is no fear (on my part).

I am content, I am thankful, O adversary: here (I am) disgraced, but with God (I am) honoured.

In the sight of the people (I am) contemptible and wretched and a laughingstock: in God's sight (I am) loved and sought and approved.

I say this (merely as a matter) of words; otherwise (in fact), to-morrow (on the Day of Judgement) God will make thee one of the black-faced.

Glory belongs to Him and to His servants (alone): recite (from the Qur’án) the sign thereof (made manifest) through Adam and Iblís. 1080

The explanation of (the attributes of) God, like God (Himself), hath no limit. Take heed, close thy mouth and turn over a (new) leaf.”

The reply of Pharaoh to Moses, on whom be peace.

Pharaoh said to him, “The leaf is under my authority; the book and register of authority is mine at this moment.

The people of the world have chosen me: art thou wiser than all, O fellow?

O Moses, thou hast vaunted thyself. Hark, begone! Have less regard for thyself, be not self-deluded.

I will assemble the magicians of the world, that I may exhibit thy foolishness to the city. 1085

(But) this will not be done in a day or two: give me time (and wait) till the forty days (which end in the month) of Tamúz.”

The answer of Moses, on whom be peace, to Pharaoh.

Moses said, “This is not permitted to me: I am the slave (of God): the giving of time to thee is not commanded.

If thou art powerful and I in sooth have no ally, (yet) I am subject to His command: I have nothing to do with that.

I will combat thee with all my might so long as I live; what have I to do with helping (God)? I am a slave.

I will fight till the decision of God comes to pass: He (alone) separates every adversary from an adversary.” 1090

The reply of Pharaoh to Moses, and the coming of a Divine revelation to Moses, on whom be peace.

He (Pharaoh) said, “Nay, nay, thou must appoint a certain respite: do not give cajoleries, do not talk vain things.”

At once the high God made a revelation to him, saying, “Give him an ample respite: be not afraid of that.

Willingly give him these forty days, that he may bethink him of divers plots.

Let him endeavour, for I am not asleep; bid him advance quickly, (for) I have barred the way in front (of him).

I will confound all their devices, and I will reduce to little that which they increase. 1095

Let them fetch water, and I will make (it) fire; let them get honey and sweets and I will make (it) bitter.

Let them join in a bond of love, and I will destroy it; I will do that which they conceive not.

Have thou no fear, and give him a lengthy respite; bid him bring together his host and prepare a hundred devices.”

How Moses, on whom be peace, gave Pharaoh a respite, that he might assemble the magicians from the cities.

He (Moses) said, “The (Divine) command hath come. Go, the respite is (granted) to thee. I depart to my dwelling-place: thou art delivered from me.”

He was going (on his way), and at his heels (went) the dragon wise and loving, like the hunter's dog. 1100

Like the hunter's dog, wagging its tail: it made the stones (crumble as) sand beneath its hoof.

With its breath it drew in stone and iron (to its jaws) and visibly chewed the iron into small fragments.

In the air it was making itself (rise) above the zodiac, so that Greeks and Georgians would flee from it in panic.

From its palate it cast out foam, like a camel: whomsoever a drop hit, he was smitten with tubercular leprosy.

The gnashing of its teeth would break the heart; the souls of black lions would be distraught (with terror). 1105

When that chosen one (Moses) reached his kinsfolk, he took hold of the corner of its mouth, and it became again a staff.

He leaned upon it, saying, “O wonder! to me (’tis clear as) the sun, to my enemy (’tis dark as) night.

O wonder! How doth this host not see a whole world filled with the morning sun?

Eyes open, and ears open, and this sun! I am amazed at God's eye-bandaging.