[Sunlight] "The fire that iron needs"

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The fire that iron or gold needs…
would it be good for fresh quinces and apples?
The apple and quince are just slightly raw;
unlike iron, they need only a gentle heat.
But gentle flames are not enough for iron;
it eagerly draws to itself the fiery dragon's breath.
That iron is the dervish who bears hardship:
under the hammer and fire, he happily glows red.

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Âteshi kâ salâh-e âhan yâ zarast
ki salâh-e âbi o sib-e tarast
Sib o âbi khâmi'i dârad khafif
nah cho âhan tâbeshi khvâhad latif
Layk âhan-râ latif ân sho`le-hâst
ku jazub-e tâbesh ân azhdahâst
Hast ân âhan faqir-e sakht-kash
zir-e potak o âtesh ast u sorkh o khvosh

-- Mathnawi II: 827-830
Version by Camille and Kabir Helminski
"Rumi: Daylight"
Threshold Books, 1994
Persian transliteration courtesy of Yahyá Monastra

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[Sunlight] "The fire that iron needs"