[Sunlight] "What a fine, broad kingdom"

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In the world there are invisible ladders,
leading step by step to the summit of heaven.
There is a different ladder for every group,
a different heaven for every path.
Each one is ignorant of the other's condition in this wide kingdom which
has no end or beginning.
This one is amazed at that one and wonders why he is happy,
while that one is astonished at this one and asks why he is amazed.
God's earth is spacious*: every tree springs up from a certain soil.
The leaves and boughs sing thanks to God:
"What a fine, broad kingdom."
The nightingales hover around the fruiting blossom,
calling, "Give us some of what you drink."
This discourse has no end.

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Nardobân-hâyist penhân dar jahân
pâyeh pâyeh tâ `enân-e âsmân
Har goroh-râ nardobâni digarast
har ravesh-râ âsmâni digarast
Har yeki azhâl-e digar bi khabar
molk bâ pahnâ o bi pâyân o sar
In dar ân hayrân keh u chist khvosh
va ân darin khireh keh hayrat chistesh
Sahn-e Ard Allâh wâsi`* âmadeh
har derakhti az zamini sar zadeh
Bar derakhtân shokr guyân barg o shâkh
keh "Zehi molk o zehi `arseh-ye farâkh"
Bolbolân gerd-e shekufeh par gereh
keh "Az âncheh mi khvori mâ-râ be-deh"
In sokhan pâyân na-dârad kon roju`
su-ye ân rubâh o shir o soqm o ju`

-- Mathnawi V: 2556-2563
Version by Camille and Kabir Helminski
"Rumi: Jewels of Remembrance"
Threshold Books, 1996
(Persian transliteration courtesy of Yahyá Monastra)

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[Sunlight] "What a fine, broad kingdom"