Rumi's Masnavi - This is his (the hypocrite's) argument: he says at every moment, “If there were anything else, I should have seen it.”

This is his (the hypocrite's) argument: he says at every moment, “If there were anything else, I should have seen it.” 3930

If a child does not see the various aspects of reason, will a rational person ever abandon reason?

And if a rational person does not see the various aspects of Love, (yet) the auspicious moon of Love does not wane.

Joseph's beauty was not seen by the eyes of his brethren, (but) when did it (ever) disappear from the heart of Jacob?

The (physical) eye of Moses regarded the staff (rod) as wood; the eye of the Invisible beheld (in it) a serpent and (cause of) panic.

The eye of the head was in conflict with the eye of the heart: the eye of the heart prevailed (over the other) and displayed the proof. 3935

The (physical) eye of Moses regarded his hand as a hand, (but) to the eye of the Invisible it was a manifest light.

This matter hath no limit in perfection, (yet) it seems like a fancy to every one that is deprived (of the reality).

Since to him the reality is the pudendum and the gullet, do not expound the mysteries of the Beloved to him.

To us the pudendum and the gullet are a (mere) fancy; consequently the (Beloved) Soul displays His beauty (to us) at every moment. [To us the private parts and the gullet are a (mere) fancy; consequently the (Beloved) Soul displays His beauty (to us) at every moment.]

Any one whose custom and habit is (addiction to) the pudendum and the gullet, for him (the fit answer) is “Unto you (your) religion and unto me (my) religion.” 3940

Cut short thy talk with such (incarnate) scepticism: do not converse, O Ahmad, with the ancient infidel.

Venit Khalífa ad puellam formosam concubitus causa. [How the Caliph came next to that one of beautiful face for the sake of (sexual) intercourse.]

Ille Khalífa concubitum sibi proposuit, illam feminam coitus causa adivit. [The Caliph decided on a meeting; he went to that woman for the sake of (sexual) intercourse.]

Eam recordatus penem erexit, animum intendit ut concubitu cum ea quae amorem augebat frueretur. [He remembered her and got (his) penis erect; he intended to (have) sexual intercourse with (that) love-increaser.]

Cum inter crura mulieris recubavit, tum venit (Dei) decretum, ei viam voluptatis occlusit. [When he sat between the legs of the lady, then the Decree (of God) came (and) blocked the way to his pleasure.]

Ad aures pervenit sonus tenuis quem mus facere solet: penis ejus languit, libido tota decessit; [The rustling of a mouse reached his ear: his penis rested (went limp), his lust completely fled; ] 3945

Putabat enim illum susurrum ab angue exortum esse qui sese e storea vehementer sublevaret. [His suspicion (was) that this grating sound was from a snake that was violently moving (out) from (beneath) the straw mat.]

Puellam risus occupat propter libidinem Klalífae debilem et libidinem illius ducis validissimam. Khalífa puellae risum animadvertit. [How laughter took hold of the maidservant because of the weakness of the Caliph’s lust and the strength of the captain’s lust, and how the Caliph understood the maidservant’s laughter.]

Femina languorem ejus vidit; rem mirando in cachinnos ivit: risus eam occupavit. [The woman saw his softness; from astonishment, she started to burst out laughing: laughter took hold of her.]

Venit in mentem virilatas ducis fortissimi qui leonem interfecit dum membrum (virile) ejus tale est. [She remembered the virility of the (courageous) Captain who killed the lion, with his (male) organ like that.]

The woman's laughter overpowered (her) and was prolonged: she tried hard (to suppress it) but her lips would not shut.

She kept laughing violently like beng-eaters: her laughter overpowered (all considerations of) gain or loss. 3950

Everything that she thought of (only) increased her laughter, as (when) a flood-gate is suddenly opened.

Weeping and laughter and sorrow and joy of heart—know that each one (of them) has an independent source.

Each one has a (particular) store-house: know, O brother, that the key thereof is in the hand of the Opener.

Her laughter was never ceasing: then the Caliph became enraged and fierce.

He quickly drew his scimitar from its sheath and said, “Declare the secret cause of thy laughter, O foul (woman)! 3955

From this laughter a suspicion has come into my heart: tell the truth, thou canst not cajole me.

And if thou deceive me with falsehoods or idly utter glib excuses,

I shall know, (for) there is light in my heart: thou must tell everything that ought to be told.

Know that in the heart of kings there is a mighty moon, though sometimes it is overclouded by forgetfulness.

In the heart there is a lamp with which one goes about (as a rule); at times of anger and concupiscence it is put under the basin. 3960

That clairvoyance accompanies me just now: unless thou tell that which ’tis thy duty to tell,

I will sever thy neck with this scimitar: evasion will not avail thee at all.

And if thou tell the truth, I will set thee free: I will not violate the duty I owe to God, I will make thee glad.”

At the same moment he placed seven Qur’áns one on the top of another and swore an oath and thus confirmed (his promise).

How the girl disclosed the secret to the Caliph in fear of (having her head cut off by) a blow of the sword, and how she was forced (to speak) by the Caliph (who said), “Give a true account of the cause of thy laughter or else I will kill thee.”

When the woman became (found herself) helpless, she related what had happened (concerning) the manliness of that Rustam who was the son of a hundred Záls. 3965

She described to the Caliph, point by point, the bride-chamber that was (prepared for her) on the route (of the march),

His killing the lion and returning to the tent pene erecto tanquam cornu rhinocerotis; [His killing the lion and returning to the tent with the penis erect like the horn of a rhinoceros;]

Contra, hujus (membri) ambitiosi debilatatem quod ob unum muris susurrum succidit. [(And) again, the weakness of the ambitious one (the male organ) that collapsed (as though) dead because of the rustling of a mouse.]

God is ever making the hidden things manifest: since they will grow up, do not sow bad seed.

Rain and clouds and fire and this sun are ever bringing up the hidden things from the earth. 3970

This new springtide after the fall of the leaves is a proof of the existence of the Resurrection.

In spring the secrets are revealed: whatsoever this Earth has eaten is exposed to view.

It shoots up from her mouth and lips in order that she may bring to light her hidden mind and way.

The secret of the root of every tree and its nutriment—the whole of that is plainly shown forth on its (leafy) top.

Every sorrow whereby thou art (made) sore in heart is the headache arising from the wine that thou hast drunk; 3975

But how shouldst thou know from which wine that headache has arisen (and become) manifest?

This crop-sickness (headache) is the blossom of that seed (only) he that is sagacious and wise will recognise it.

The bough and its blossom do not resemble the seed: how should semen resemble the body of man?

The matter (of which anything is composed) does not resemble the product: when did the seed (ever) resemble the tree (that sprang from it)?