The Lion Asks Why the Hare Hangs Back
From Rumi’s Masnavi (مثنوی معنوی), Book 1, section 71 of 171: How the lion asked the reason of the hare's drawing back (پرسیدن شیر از سبب پای واپس کشیدن خرگوش). Below, each of its 14 couplets is given in Persian, followed by R. A. Nicholson’s English translation.
How the lion asked the reason of the hare’s drawing back پرسیدن شیر از سبب پای واپس کشیدن خرگوش
شیر گفتش تو ز اسباب مرض
این سبب گو خاص کاین استم غرض
The lion said to him, “Amongst (all) the causes of your malady tell (me) the special cause, for this is my object.”
گفت آن شیر اندر این چه ساکن است
اندر این قلعه ز آفات ایمن است
“That lion,” he said, “lives in this well: within this fortress he is safe from harms.”
قعر چه بگزید هر کی عاقل است
ز آن که در خلوت صفاهای دل است
Every one who is wise chose the bottom of the well (to live in), because spiritual joys are (to be attained only) in solitude.
ظلمت چه به که ظلمتهای خلق
سر نبرد آن کس که گیرد پای خلق
The darkness of the well is better than the dark shades of the world: he that followed at the heels of the world never saved his head.
گفت پیش آ زخمم او را قاهر است
تو ببین کان شیر در چه حاضر است
“Come on,” said the lion; “my blow subdues him: see thou whether that lion is in the well at present.”
گفت من سوزیده‌‌ام ز آن آتشی
تو مگر اندر بر خویشم کشی
The hare answered, “I am consumed with (dread of) that fieriness (wrath): perhaps thou wilt take me beside thee,
تا بپشت تو من ای کان کرم
چشم بگشایم به چه در بنگرم
That with thy support, O mine of generosity, I may open my eyes and look into the well.”
Special Offers
← Previous sectionMasnavi Book 1 contentsNext section →
More Rumi: the Song of the Reed (Book 1 proem), real Rumi quotes in Persian and the Persian poetry quiz.
Take this lesson further
Serious about Persian? Get all 30 of our Persian learning books for $199.99 (55% less than buying them one by one).
Free Persian Starter Kit (PDF)
The Persian alphabet chart and the 101 most common Persian words with pronunciation, in one printable PDF. You also get a one-time 15% code for any of our books.
We will email you new lessons and book news from Learn Persian Online. Unsubscribe any time.Love Persian poetry? Learn to read it: free Starter Pack
Get the 14-page printable Starter Pack (all 32 letters, a 7-day reading plan, 100 core words and 20 survival phrases) and a short 5-email course. Free.
by: Reza about (category: Masnavi)
Reza is an experienced Persian instructor who has been tutoring students since 2008. He is the founder of Learn Persian Online, a tutoring company that has helped many students learn Persian, this beautiful language. He works with students individually and in group settings, he tutors both live and online Persian courses. Reza provides an individualized custom learning plan and the personalized attention that makes a difference in how people view Persian learning process.
What people say about "The Lion Asks Why the Hare Hangs Back"?
No one replied yet.