quatrain 367

From sunlight, two versions of quatrain #367. Following is the version by Zara Houshmand which I don't seem to have commented on as I can't find it in a search of the site.

Like a thief
reason sneaked in and sat amongst the lovers
eager to give them advice.
They were unwilling to listen, so reason kissed their feet
and went on its way.

Translation by Azima Melita Kolin and Maryam Mafi
Rumi: Whispers of the Beloved
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, 1999

for awhile wisdom came
to advise the ones
who are in love
it sat by the wayside
to corrupt their way
since it found no room
within their minds
it kissed their feet
and went on its way

Translation by Nader Khalili
Rumi, Dancing the Flame
Cal-Earth Press, 2001

Reason came forward to lecture the lovers;
Like a bandit in ambush he lay.
But he saw that their heads had no room for reason,
So bowed at their feet and went on his way.

Zara Houshmand
@ iranian.com