The Masnavi, Book One (Oxford World's Classics)

The other animals object to the words of the hare
‘Don’t be a donkey’s hair, now listen well,
Act like the hare you are, so all can tell!
You’re bragging to your betters, don’t ignore
1010
The fact we might have thought of this before;
Either you’re arrogant, or it’s our fate,
How can your speech 
fit someone in your state?’
The hare’s answer to the other animals
He said, ‘My friends, by God I’ve been inspired,
A weakling’s learned strong views, that’s what’s transpired.’
God taught the bee a skill that’s something more
Than what he taught the lion and the boar:
How a Hare Killed the Tyrannical Lion
64

---

The bee can make a moist, sweet honeycomb,
God’s opened up to it His wisdom’s home,
Like when He taught the silkworm how to spin,
1015
An earthworm wouldn’t know where to begin!
And Adam learned such truths from God that 
fire
Blazed up to heaven as a massive pyre,
But the good name of angels was wiped out
By that blind one, who God’s own word would doubt:
*
Satan, ascetic for millennia, then
Was muzzled and would not be freed again,
So he could not drink wisdom’s milk at all,
Nor walk around God’s heavenly castle’s hall.
Physical senses are like muzzles too
1020
That keep the milk of mystic truth from you;
A jewel has dropped in your heart’s deep core,
Which neither seas nor heaven knew before,
So why still worship form, an empty shape ––
Your soulless spirit must learn to escape!
If humans could be men through form and name
The Prophet and Bu Jahl would be the same:
Paintings can look like men, but still we doubt
When we look closely –– something’s been left out:
Its form is perfect, but it lacks a soul ––
1025
Go, seek out that rare jewel –– that’s your goal!
The lions bowed their heads at what God gave
The dog of the Companions of the Cave:
*
Despite its ugly form it reached the height
Of animal perfection through God’s light.
The author’s pen will not record your looks ––
‘Learnèd’ and ‘just’ instead they write in books:
Such qualities are spiritual and real,
Not things you can locate, observe, and feel;
Rays strike your frame from God’s unknown domain,
1030
The Lord’s divine sun heaven can’t contain.
How a Hare Killed the Tyrannical Lion
65

---

An account of the hare’s knowledge and an explanation of
the virtue and bene
fits of knowledge
This discourse has no end –– let’s leave it there
And listen to the story of the hare,
Sell those dumb ears and buy some better ones
For donkey’s ears are just for simpletons!
*
Witness the hare outfox the lion with tricks,
Come, learn about the plot he tried to 
fix!
In Solomon’s realm knowledge was the goal,
This world’s material, knowledge for the soul,
Knowledge is what makes Man magni
ficent
1035
While other creatures are all impotent:
Lions and leopards turn to mice through fear
And crocodiles turn pale when he comes near,
Angels and demons run out to the shores,
All seek a hiding-place or bolt their doors;
So Man has very many hidden foes,
A cautious man is one with sense, who knows:
All kinds of creatures hidden from our sight
Attempt to strike your heart with all their might.
If you should ever wash down by the stream
1040
A thorn inside is bound to make you scream,
Although it’s hidden down below, beware!
Once you are pricked you’ll know for sure it’s there!
Some thorns inspire, some tempt you from your course,
They come from thousands, not a single source,
Wait till your outward senses have evolved
To see them all, and 
find your problems solved––
You’ll see then just whom you have failed to heed
And whom you’ve judged as quali
fied to lead.