Rumi's Masnavi - God hath said, “Be not immoderate,” in reference to the eating of bread; He hath not said, “Be satisfied,” in reference to the eating of Light.

God hath said, “Be not immoderate,” in reference to the eating of bread; He hath not said, “Be satisfied,” in reference to the eating of Light.

نان‌خوری را گفت حق لاتسرفوا ** نور خوردن را نگفتست اکتفوا

The former was the gullet subject to probation, while this (saintly) gullet was free from immoderation and secure from exorbitance.

آن گلوی ابتلا بد وین گلو ** فارغ از اسراف و آمن از غلو

(In the case of the Shaykh) ’twas (by) the (Divine) command and order, not (from) greed and cupidity: a spirit like that is not a follower of greed. 2710

امر و فرمان بود نه حرص و طمع ** آن چنان جان حرص را نبود تبع

If the elixir say to the copper, “Give thyself up to me,” cupidity does not prevail (over it).

گر بگوید کیمیا مس را بده ** تو به من خود را طمع نبود فره

God had offered to the Shaykh (all) the treasures of the earth down to the seventh tier;

گنجهای خاک تا هفتم طبق ** عرضه کرده بود پیش شیخ حق

(But) the Shaykh said, “O Creator, I am a lover: if I seek aught but Thee, I am impious.

شیخ گفتا خالقا من عاشقم ** گر بجویم غیر تو من فاسقم

If I should bring into view the Eight Paradises, or if I should serve Thee from fear of Hell,

هشت جنت گر در آرم در نظر ** ور کنم خدمت من از خوف سقر

(Then) I am (only) a believer seeking salvation, for both these (motives) are concerned with the body.” 2715

مومنی باشم سلامت‌جوی من ** زانک این هر دو بود حظ بدن

A hundred bodies are not worth a bean in the eyes of the lover who has received nutriment from God's love;

عاشقی کز عشق یزدان خورد قوت ** صد بدن پیشش نیرزد تره‌توت

And this body which the Shaykh of insight possesses has become something different: do not call it a body.

وین بدن که دارد آن شیخ فطن ** چیز دگر گشت کم خوانش بدن