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MATHNAWÍ, BOOK I
When (the view that it admitted of) interpretation prevailed
in his mind, his nature hastened in bewilderment towards the wheat[1].
When the thorn went into the foot of the gardener (Adam), the thief (Satan) found an opportunity and quickly carried off the goods.
As soon as he escaped from bewilderment, he returned into the (right) road; (then) he saw that the thief had carried off the wares from the shop.
He cried, ‘O Lord, we have done wrong,’ and 'Alas,' that is to say, 'darkness came and the way was lost.'
This Divine destiny is a cloud that covers the sun: thereby lions and dragons become as mice.
If I (the hoopoe) do not see a snare in the hour of Divine ordainment, 'tis not I alone who am ignorant in the course of Divine ordainment."
Oh, happy he that clave to righteousness, he (that) let (his own) strength go and took to supplication!
If the Divine destiny shrouds thee in black like night, yet the Divine destiny will take thy hand (and guide thee) at the last.
If the Divine destiny a hundred times attempts thy life, yet the Divine destiny gives thee life and heals thee.
This Divine destiny, if a hundred times it waylays thee, (nevertheless) pitches thy tent on the top of Heaven.
Know that this is from the lovingkindness (of God), that He terrifies thee in order that He may establish thee in the kingdom of security.
This subject hath no end. "Tis late[2]. Hearken (now) to the story of the hare and the lion.
How the hare drew back from the lion when he approached the well.
When the lion came near the well, he saw that the hare lagged on the way and stepped back.
He said, "Why have you stepped back? Do not step back, come on!"
The hare said, "Where is my (power to move a) foot? for (both) hand and foot are gone. My soul trembles and my heart (courage) has fled.
Seest thou not the colour of my face (pale) as gold? My colour indeed is giving knowledge of my inward state.
Since God has called the (external) sign (aspect) informative, the eye of the gnostic has remained turned towards the sign.
Colour and scent are significant like a bell: the neigh of a horse makes (one) acquainted with the horse.
The sound made by any thing conveys knowledge of it, so