چار مرغ‌اند این عناصر بسته‌پا ** مرگ و رنجوری و علت پاگشا
These elements are four birds with their legs tied (together): death and sickness and disease loose their legs.
پایشان از همدگر چون باز کرد ** مرغ هر عنصر یقین پرواز کرد
When it (death) has released their legs from one another, assuredly every bird-element flies away.
جذبه‌ی این اصلها و فرعها ** هر دمی رنجی نهد در جسم ما4430
The pull between these originals and derivatives continually implants some pain in our bodies,
تا که این ترکیبها را بر درد ** مرغ هر جزوی به اصل خود پرد
In order that it may rend these coalitions asunder (and that) each part, like a bird, may fly to its home;
حکمت حق مانع آید زین عجل ** جمعشان دارد بصحت تا اجل
(But) Divine Providence hinders them from this hastening and keeps them together in health till the appointed term,
گوید ای اجزا اجل مشهود نیست ** پر زدن پیش از اجلتان سود نیست
And says, “O parts, the term is not certainly known (to you): ’tis useless for you to take wing before the term.”
چونک هر جزوی بجوید ارتفاق ** چون بود جان غریب اندر فراق
Inasmuch as every part (of the body) seeks support, what must be the state of the soul, a stranger, in separation (from its home)?
منجذب شدن جان نیز به عالم ارواح و تقاضای او و میل او به مقر خود و منقطع شدن از اجزای اجسام کی هم کنده‌ی پای باز روح‌اند
How likewise the soul is drawn to the world of spirits, and how it craves and desires its home, and becomes severed from the bodily parts which are a fetter on the leg of the spiritual falcon.
گوید ای اجزای پست فرشیم ** غربت من تلختر من عرشیم4435
It (the soul) says, “O my base earthly parts, my exile is more bitter (than yours): I am celestial.”
میل تن در سبزه و آب روان ** زان بود که اصل او آمد از آن
The desire of the body for green herbs and running water is because its origin is from those;
میل جان اندر حیات و در حی است ** زانک جان لامکان اصل وی است
The desire of the soul is for Life and for the Living One, because its origin is the Infinite Soul.
میل جان در حکمتست و در علوم ** میل تن در باغ و راغست و کروم
The desire of the soul is for wisdom and the sciences; the desire of the body is for orchards and meadows and vines.
میل جان اندر ترقی و شرف ** میل تن در کسب و اسباب علف
That exaltedness too hath desire and love towards the soul: from this (fact) understand (the meaning of) He loves them and they love (Him).
میل و عشق آن شرف هم سوی جان ** زین یحب را و یحبون را بدان4440
That exaltedness too hath desire and love towards the soul: from this (fact) understand (the meaning of) He loves them and they love (Him).
حاصل آنک هر که او طالب بود ** جان مطلوبش درو راغب بود
If I explain this, ’twill be endless: the Mathnawí will amount to eighty volumes.
گر بگویم شرح این بی حد شود ** مثنوی هشتاد تا کاغذ شود
The gist is that whenever any one seeks, the soul of the object sought by him is desiring him.
آدمی حیوان نباتی و جماد ** هر مرادی عاشق هر بی‌مراد
(Whether it be) man, animal, plant, or mineral, every object of desire is in love with everything that is without (has not attained to) the object of desire.
بی‌مرادان بر مرادی می‌تنند ** و آن مرادان جذب ایشان می‌کنند
Those who are without their object of desire attach themselves to an object of desire, and those desired ones draw them (on);
لیک میل عاشقان لاغر کند ** میل معشوقان خوش و خوش‌فر کند4445
But the desire of the lovers makes them lean, (while) the desire of the loved ones makes them fair and beauteous.
عشق معشوقان دو رخ افروخته ** عشق عاشق جان او را سوخته
The love of the loved ones illumines the cheeks; the love of the lover consumes his soul.
کهربا عاشق به شکل بی‌نیاز ** کاه می‌کوشد در آن راه دراز
The amber loves (the straw) with the appearance of wanting naught, (while) the straw is making efforts (to advance) on that long road.
این رها کن عشق آن تشنه‌دهان ** تافت اندر سینه‌ی صدر جهان
Leave this (topic). The love of that thirsty-mouthed man shone (was reflected) in the breast of the Sadr-i Jahán.
دود آن عشق و غم آتش‌کده ** رفته در مخدوم او مشفق شده
The smoke of the love and pain of the fire-temple (his burning heart) entered his lord (and) turned into compassion.
لیکش از ناموس و بوش و آب رو ** شرم می‌آمد که وا جوید ازو4450
But on account of (his) glory and pride and magnificence he was ashamed to inquire for him:
رحمتش مشتاق آن مسکین شده ** سلطنت زین لطف مانع آمده
His mercy had begun to yearn after that lowly man, (but) his majesty hindered (him) from (showing) this kindness.
عقل حیران کین عجب او را کشید ** یا کشش زان سو بدینجانب رسید
The intellect is bewildered, wondering whether this one (the Sadr-i Jahán) attracted him (the lover), or whether the attraction came from that quarter (from the lover) to this side.