Rumi's Masnavi - Prudence is this, that when they (worldlings) invite you, you should not say, “They are enamoured and fond of me.”

Prudence is this, that when they (worldlings) invite you, you should not say, “They are enamoured and fond of me.” 230

حزم آن باشد که چون دعوت کنند ** تو نگویی مست و خواهان منند

Know that their invitation is (like) the bird's whistle which the fowler gives (while) concealed in (his) place of ambush:

دعوت ایشان صفیر مرغ دان ** که کند صیاد در مکمن نهان

He has put forward a dead bird, (pretending) that this (bird) is making this plaintive noise and cry.

مرغ مرده پیش بنهاده که این ** می‌کند این بانگ و آواز و حنین

The birds think he is one of their kind: they gather round, and he rends their skins—

مرغ پندارد که جنس اوست او ** جمع آید بر دردشان پوست او

Except, no doubt, the bird on which God has bestowed prudence, so that it may not be fooled by that bait and enticement.

جز مگر مرغی که حزمش داد حق ** تا نگردد گیج آن دانه و ملق

Imprudence is assuredly (attended by) repentance. Hear the following story in explanation of this. 235

هست بی حزمی پشیمانی یقین ** بشنو این افسانه را در شرح این

How the countryman deceived the townsman and invited him with humble entreaties and great importunity.

فریفتن روستایی شهری را و بدعوت خواندن بلابه و الحاح بسیار

In the past, O brother, there was a townsman (who was) intimate with a countryman.

ای برادر بود اندر ما مضی ** شهریی با روستایی آشنا

Whenever the countryman came to town, he would pitch his tent in the street of the townsman.

روستایی چون سوی شهر آمدی ** خرگه اندر کوی آن شهری زدی

He would be his guest for two or three months, he would be in his shop and at his table,

دو مه و سه ماه مهمانش بدی ** بر دکان او و بر خوانش بدی

And the townsman would provide, free of cost, everything that he wanted during that time.

هر حوایج را که بودش آن زمان ** راست کردی مرد شهری رایگان

(Once) he turned to the townsman and said, “Sire, are you never coming to the country for a holiday? 240

رو به شهری کرد و گفت ای خواجه تو ** هیچ می‌نایی سوی ده فرجه‌جو

Bring all your children, (I beg you) in God's name, for this is the time of the rose-garden and the springtide;

الله الله جمله فرزندان بیار ** کین زمان گلشنست و نوبهار

Or come in summer, in the fruit-season, that I may brace my belt to do you service.

یا بتابستان بیا وقت ثمر ** تا ببندم خدمتت را من کمر

Bring your retinue and your children and kinsfolk, and stay in our village three or four months,

خیل و فرزندان و قومت را بیار ** در ده ما باش سه ماه و چهار

For in spring the countryside is pleasant; there are sown fields and lovely anemones.”

که بهاران خطه‌ی ده خوش بود ** کشت‌زار و لاله‌ی دلکش بود

The townsman was (always) putting him off with promises, until eight years had elapsed since the (first) promise (was given). 245

وعده دادی شهری او را دفع حال ** تا بر آمد بعد وعده هشت سال

Every year he (the countryman) would say, “When will you set out on the journey?—for the month of December is (already) come,”

او بهر سالی همی‌گفتی که کی ** عزم خواهی کرد کامد ماه دی

And he (the townsman) would make an excuse, saying, “This year we have a guest who has come from such and such a district;

او بهانه ساختی کامسال‌مان ** از فلان خطه بیامد میهمان

(But) next year I will run (down) to that part (of the country), if I can escape from the pressing affairs (which keep me at home).”

سال دیگر گر توانم وا رهید ** از مهمات آن طرف خواهم دوید

He (the countryman) said, “My family are (anxiously) expecting your children, O benefactor.”

گفت هستند آن عیالم منتظر ** بهر فرزندان تو ای اهل بر

Every year he was coming back, like the stork, to reside in the townsman's pavilion, 250

باز هر سالی چو لکلک آمدی ** تا مقیم قبه‌ی شهری شدی

And every year the Khwája would expend his gold and wealth upon him and open his wings (wide).

خواجه هر سالی ز زر و مال خویش ** خرج او کردی گشادی بال خویش

On the last occasion, that paladin set dishes (of food) before him at morn and eve for three months.

آخرین کرت سه ماه آن پهلوان ** خوان نهادش بامدادان و شبان

From shame he again said to the Khwája, “How long (nothing but) promises? How long will you deceive me?”

از خجالت باز گفت او خواجه را ** چند وعده چند بفریبی مرا

The Khwája said, “My body and soul are eager for the meeting, but every change depends on the decree of Him (God).

گفت خواجه جسم و جانم وصل‌جوست ** لیک هر تحویل اندر حکم هوست

Man is like a ship or sail: (he must wait) to see when the Driver of the wind shall send the (favourable) breeze.” 255

آدمی چون کشتی است و بادبان ** تا کی آرد باد را آن بادران

Once more he (the countryman) adjured him, crying, “O generous man, take your children and come and behold the pleasures (of the country).”

باز سوگندان بدادش کای کریم ** گیر فرزندان بیا بنگر نعیم

He took his hand three times in covenant, saying, “In God's name, come quickly, make the utmost effort!”

دست او بگرفت سه کرت بعهد ** کالله الله زو بیا بنمای جهد

After ten years—and every year the same sugared entreaties and promises—

بعد ده سال و بهر سالی چنین ** لابه‌ها و وعده‌های شکرین

The Khwája's children said, “O father, the moon and the clouds and the shadows too have their journeys.

کودکان خواجه گفتند ای پدر ** ماه و ابر و سایه هم دارد سفر

You have laid obligations on him, you have taken great pains on his account, 260

حقها بر وی تو ثابت کرده‌ای ** رنجها در کار او بس برده‌ای

And he wishes to repay some part of that obligation when you become his guest.

او همی‌خواهد که بعضی حق آن ** وا گزارد چون شوی تو میهمان

He gave us many injunctions in secret: ‘Bring him to the country,’ said he, ‘coaxing (him to come).’”

بس وصیت کرد ما را او نهان ** که کشیدش سوی ده لابه‌کنان

He (the townsman) said, “This is true, but, O Síbawayh, be on thy guard against the malice of him to whom thou hast shown kindness.

گفت حقست این ولی ای سیبویه ** اتق من شر من احسنت الیه

Love is the seed (that bears fruit at the moment) of the last breath: I fear that it may be corrupted by estrangement.”

دوستی تخم دم آخر بود ** ترسم از وحشت که آن فاسد شود

There is a friendship like a cutting sword, (destructive) as December in the gardens and cornfields; 265

صحبتی باشد چو شمشیر قطوع ** همچو دی در بوستان و در زروع

There is a friendship like the season of spring, whence (come) restorations and produce incalculable.

صحبتی باشد چو فصل نوبهار ** زو عمارتها و دخل بی‌شمار

Prudence is this, that you think evil, so that you may flee and become quit of evil.

حزم آن باشد که ظن بد بری ** تا گریزی و شوی از بد بری

The Prophet has said, “Prudence is (consists in) thinking evil”: know that for every footstep there is a snare, O fool!

حزم س الظن گفتست آن رسول ** هر قدم را دام می‌دان ای فضول

The surface of the plateau is level and broad, (but at) every step there is a snare: do not advance boldly.

روی صحرا هست هموار و فراخ ** هر قدم دامیست کم ران اوستاخ

The mountain-goat runs on, saying, “Where is the snare?” As it speeds onward, the snare lights on its throat. 270

آن بز کوهی دود که دام کو ** چون بتازد دامش افتد در گلو

O thou who saidst “Where?” look and see! Thou sawest the plain, (but) thou didst not see the ambush.

آنک می‌گفتی که کو اینک ببین ** دشت می‌دیدی نمی‌دیدی کمین

Without ambush and snare and hunter, O cunning one, how should there be a sheep's tail (laid in a trap) amidst the cornfield?

بی کمین و دام و صیاد ای عیار ** دنبه کی باشد میان کشت‌زار

They that came along boldly on the earth—see their bones and skulls!

آنک گستاخ آمدند اندر زمین ** استخوان و کله‌هاشان را ببین

When you go to the graveyard, O you with whom God is pleased, ask their bones concerning that which is past,

چون به گورستان روی ای مرتضا ** استخوانشان را بپرس از ما مضی

That you may see clearly how those blind intoxicated men went down into the pit of delusion. 275

تا بظاهر بینی آن مستان کور ** چون فرو رفتند در چاه غرور

If you have eyes, do not walk blindly; and if you have not eyes, take a staff in your hand.

چشم اگر داری تو کورانه میا ** ور نداری چشم دست آور عصا

When you have not the staff of prudence and judgement, make the (seer's) eye your leader;

آن عصای حزم و استدلال را ** چون نداری دید می‌کن پیشوا

And if there is no staff of prudence and judgement, do not stand on every road without a guide.

ور عصای حزم و استدلال نیست ** بی عصاکش بر سر هر ره مه‌ایست

Step in the same fashion as a blind man steps, in order that your foot may escape from the pit and the dog.

گام زان سان نه که نابینا نهد ** تا که پا از چاه و از سگ وا رهد