Rumi's Masnavi - Cut off the water and cleansed the river-bed, then caused drinking-water to flow in the river-bed;

Cut off the water and cleansed the river-bed, then caused drinking-water to flow in the river-bed;

آب را ببرید و جو را پاک کرد ** بعد از آن در جو روان کرد آب خورد

Cleft the skin and drew out the iron point (of the arrow or spear)—then fresh skin grew over it (the wound);

پوست را بشکافت و پیکان را کشید ** پوست تازه بعد از آتش بردمید

Rased the fortress and took it from the infidel, then reared thereon a hundred towers and ramparts. 310

قلعه ویران کرد و از کافر ستد ** بعد از آن بر ساختش صد برج و سد

Who shall describe the action of Him who hath no like? This that I have said (is what) the present necessity is affording.

کار بی‌‌چون را که کیفیت نهد ** این که گفتم هم ضرورت می‌‌دهد

Sometimes it (the action of God) appears like this and sometimes the contrary of this: the work of religion is naught but bewilderment.

گه چنین بنماید و گه ضد این ** جز که حیرانی نباشد کار دین‌‌

(I mean) not one bewildered in such wise that his back is (turned) towards Him; nay, but one bewildered (with ecstasy) like this and drowned (in God) and intoxicated with the Beloved.

نی چنان حیران که پشتش سوی اوست ** بل چنین حیران و غرق و مست دوست‌‌

The face of the one is set towards the Beloved, (while) the face of the other is just his own face (he is facing himself).

آن یکی را روی او شد سوی دوست ** و آن یکی را روی او خود روی دوست‌‌

Look long on the face of every one, keep watch attentively: it may be that by doing service (to Súfís) you will come to know the face (of the true saint). 315

روی هر یک می‌‌نگر می‌‌دار پاس ** بو که گردی تو ز خدمت رو شناس‌‌

Since there is many a devil who hath the face of Adam, it is not well to give your hand to every hand,

چون بسی ابلیس آدم روی هست ** پس به هر دستی نشاید داد دست‌‌

Because the fowler produces a whistling sound in order to decoy the bird,

ز انکه صیاد آورد بانگ صفیر ** تا فریبد مرغ را آن مرغ گیر