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

Partners must match, in basics they must share,
2320
Like gloves and shoes, together as a pair;
If one shoe of a pair does not quite 
fit
The other must be thrown away with it,
Have you seen double-doors of di
fferent size,
A wolf and lion mate before your eyes?
Two loads won’t balance on the camel’s back
If one’s much smaller than the other sack.
Contentment is the aim of my brave soul ––
Why do you make repulsiveness your goal?’
The man spoke with sincerity this way
2325
To his old wife until the break of day.
The wife advises her husband, ‘Don’t talk any more about your own
merit and spiritual station. “Why preach what you don’t practise”,
for even though these words are true, still you haven’t reached the
station of trust in God, and to speak like this above your own station
and a
ffairs is harmful and “more abhorred by God”’ *
His wife screamed, ‘Image is what you adore,
I won’t endure your stories any more!
Don’t spout pretentious gibberish to me,
Don’t speak with arrogance presumptuously!
You have such airs as if you’ve earned much fame ––
Look at your own state now and feel some shame!
Pride’s ugly and for beggars doubly so,
Like wearing wet clothes when it’s bound to snow!
The Poor Bedouin and his Wife
143

---

Although you like to show o
ff with hot air
2330
Your home’s a spider’s web –– it’s hardly there!
When did you 
fill your soul with satisfaction?
You’ve only just looked up its de
finition!
Although the Prophet said “Contentment’s treasure”,
You can’t tell it from pain though it brings pleasure!
Contentment is the spirit’s treasure-chest,
But only grief is found inside your breast!
Don’t call me “wife” or try to cuddle me,
My husband’s justice, not depravity!
How can you walk with lords when you eat mud
2335
And, for your drink, you suck a locust’s blood!
You 
fight with dogs for bones, you’re so in need,
And mourn just like an empty-bellied reed!
Don’t look at me with eyes full of disdain
Or I’ll tell what you hide inside each vein!
You think you’re more intelligent than me,
You’ve credited me with stupidity;
Don’t jump on me like reckless wolves would do ––
Better to lack a brain than be like you!
Because your brain just shackles everyone
2340
It seems more like a snake or scorpion!
May God oppose your lies and cruelty
And stop your meddling brain from touching me!
Both snake and charmer lurk behind your face,
You’re both amazingly –– you’re a disgrace!
If you could see you’re ugly like the crow
From pain and grief you’d melt just like the snow!
The charmer chants spells like an enemy,
The snake casts spells back though he cannot see,
If his trap for the snake were not a spell,
2345
How could he be the snake’s prey then as well?
The charmer, counting all the wealth he’d make
Can’t recognize the spell from his own snake;
The snake says, “Charmer, you think you’re so 
fine––
You see your own spell, but now look at mine!
You tricked me with the name of God for fun
To make me seem possessed to everyone ––
The Poor Bedouin and his Wife
144

---

I wasn’t trapped by your tricks but God’s name,
You’ve made God’s name a trap, you should feel shame!”
The name of God will make you pay for it,
2350
To His name soul and body I commit,
For it will slit the veins of your sad life
Or throw you into gaol like me, your wife!’
The wife gave lectures to him of this sort
Just like a never-ending bad report.