Well did the Sage of Ghazna set forth the (following) spiritual parable for the sake of those who are veiled (from perception of the truth),
خوش بیان کرد آن حکیم غزنوی ** بهر محجوبان مثال معنوی
(Saying) that if one see in the Qur’án naught but words, this is not surprising on the part of them that have lost the (right) way,4230
که ز قرآن گر نبیند غیر قال ** این عجب نبود ز اصحاب ضلال
Since the eye of the blind is sensible of naught but heat from the beams of the luminous sun.
کز شعاع آفتاب پر ز نور ** غیر گرمی می‌نیابد چشم کور
Suddenly a great booby popped his head out of an ass-stable, like a railing woman,
خربطی ناگاه از خرخانه‌ای ** سر برون آورد چون طعانه‌ای
(Saying) that this discourse, namely, the Mathnawí, is low; (that) it is the story of the Prophet and (consists of) imitation;
کین سخن پستست یعنی مثنوی ** قصه پیغامبرست و پی‌روی
(That) there is no mention of (theosophical) investigation and the sublime mysteries towards which the saints make their steeds gallop;
نیست ذکر بحث و اسرار بلند ** که دوانند اولیا آن سو سمند
(That) from the stations of asceticism to the passing away (from self-existence), step by step up to union with God,4235
از مقامات تبتل تا فنا ** پایه پایه تا ملاقات خدا
(It contains not) the explanation and definition of every station and stage, so that by means of the wings thereof a man of heart (a mystic) should soar.
شرح و حد هر مقام و منزلی ** که بپر زو بر پرد صاحب‌دلی
When the Book of God (the Qur’án) came (down), the unbelievers railed likewise at it too,
چون کتاب الله بیامد هم بر آن ** این چنین طعنه زدند آن کافران
Saying, “It is (mere) legends and paltry tales; there is no profound inquiry and lofty speculation;
که اساطیرست و افسانه‌ی نژند ** نیست تعمیقی و تحقیقی بلند