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

The story about the merchant to whom his caged parrot
gave a message for the parrots of India when he was
due to go there for trade
A merchant kept his parrot so con
fined
Inside a cage you’d think he was unkind,
But when he planned to make a trip for trade
To India where the 
finest goods were made,
To all his servants he went down to say,
‘What shall I buy for you while I’m away?’
They listed things on which their hearts were set
1560
And he swore that he never would forget;
He asked the parrot, ‘What would you prefer
That I should bring for you from India?’
The bird said, ‘When you see the parrots there
Please tell them all about my sad a
ffair:
Tell them a parrot pines continually
To see you, but she’s caged by fate’s decree;
She sends her greetings and she asks for justice,
She wants to learn the faith you parrots practise;
She says, “Should I stay longing here for you
1565
In exile, and then give my life up too?
Should I stay in this cage –– can this be right,
While in the woods and meadows you take 
flight?
The Escape of the Merchant’s Parrot
97

---

Where now is our famed solidarity?
While I’m in gaol the rest of you are free!
My noble friends, remember this poor bird
And drink to me tomorrow –– spread the word!
If friends remember one, then one is blest,
Majnun’s love for his Layli though was best!
In
fine surroundings you recline and think,
1570
While I just have my blood left now to drink!
So down a glass of wine for my sake, friends;
If you don’t want to try to make amends,
Remembering one who’s fallen in the dust
You’ll pour the dregs upon the ground, I trust.
What happened to the oath that we all swore ––
Don’t promises you make count any more?
Have I deserved my fate for some o
ffence,
If you hurt sinners what’s the di
fference?”’
The harm You cause in war and retribution
1575
Delights me more than musical audition,
*
Good fortune can’t match torture that’s from You,
Your wrath is dearer than my own life too!
This is Your 
fire––how great must be Your light:
The funeral’s now, the party starts tonight!
Because of sweetness in Your wrathfulness
None know the full depth of Your tenderness,
I moan, but fear that He might answer me
By kindly softening his tyranny ––
I’m smitten by his wrath and kindness too,
1580
My love for opposites amazes you!
If I escape these thorns now for a rose
A nightingale’s lament I will compose ––
Strange nightingale whose mouth is open wide
To 
fit both thorns and roses now inside!
That’s no bird but a 
fiery dragon there:
Love’s made all seem to him so sweet and fair!
He loves the Whole, which is here and above ––
He loves himself thus, and seeks his own love!
The Escape of the Merchant’s Parrot
98

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Description of the wings of the birds of divine intelligences
The parrot’s tale now seems appropriate,
1585
With bird-like souls 
find one who’s intimate,
One like a weak obedient bird outside
With Solomon and armies deep inside!
When he should wail without complaint or praise
An uproar sets the seven spheres ablaze;
Each breath for him God’s messages appear:
He cries, ‘O Lord!’ God says, ‘I’m always here!’
*
For God, his sins excel mere blind obedience,
Next to his unbelief, pure faith is nonsense.
Each moment privately to God he’s led,
1590
A hundred crowns God places on his head,
His form’s from earth, his soul is from