[Sunlight] In the sea there is no partnership

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Sunlight presents Mathnawi VI, verses 2028-2041, in a
poetic version by Coleman Barks, and in literal translation by
R.A. Nicholson:

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Dive into the Ocean. You're caught in your own
pretentious beard like something you didn't eat.
You're not garbage! Pearls want to be like you.
You should be with them where waves and fish
and pearls and seaweed and wind are all one.
No linking, no hierarchy, no distinctions,
no perplexed wondering, no speech.
Beyond describing.

Either stay here and talk
or go there and be silent.
Or do both by turns.
With those who see double, talk double talk.
Make noise, beat a drum, think of metaphors!
With Friends, say only mystery.
Near roses, sing.

With deceptive people, cover the jar and shield it.
But be calm with those in duality.
Speak sweetly and reasonably
Patience polishes and purifies.

-- Version by Coleman Barks
from "Sheikh Kharranqani and His Wretched Wife"
"The Essential Rumi"
HarperSanFrancisco, 1995

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Go to the Sea of whose fish thou art born: how has thou
fallen, like rubbish, into the beard?
Thou art not rubbish – far be it from thee! Thou art an
object of envy to the pearl: thou hast the best right (to dwell)
amidst the waves and the sea.
`Tis the Sea of Unity: there is no fellow or consort: its pearls
and fishes are not other than its waves.
Oh, absurd, absurd to make (aught) its partner. Far be it from
that Sea and its pure waves!
In the Sea there is no partnership or perplexity; but what can
I say to him that sees double? Nothing, nothing.
Since we are the mates of those who see double, O idolater,
`tis necessary to speak in the fashion of him who attributes a
partner (to God).
That Unity is beyond description and condition: nothing
comes into the arena (domain) of speech except duality.
Either, like the double-seeing man, drink in (absorb and be
satisfied with) this duality, or close your mouth and be very
silent;
Or (do both) in turns, now silence, now speech; (in the com-
pany of the uninitiated) beat the drum like him that sees double,
and peace (be with you)!
When you see a confidant, declare the mystery of the Spirit:
(if) you see the rose, sing loud like nightingales.
(But) when you see (one who resembles) a water-skin full of
deceit and falsehood, shut your lips and make yourself like a
(dry-lipped) jar;
(For) he is an enemy to the water (of spiritual life): in his
presence do not move (your lips), else the stone of his ignorance
breaks the jar.
Patiently endure the punishments inflicted by the ignorant
man; give him fair words and dissemble (towards him) with the
reason that is divinely inspired.
Patience (shown) to the unworthy is the means of polishing
(purifying) the worthy: wherever a heart exists, patience purifies it.

-- Translation by Reynold A. Nicholson
The Mathnawi of Jalalu'ddin Rumi
Published and Distributed by
The Trustees of The "E.J.W. Gibb Memorial"

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[Sunlight] In the sea there is no partnership