این چنین ذو النون مصری را فتاد ** کاندر او شور و جنونی نو بزاد
It so happened to Dhu ’l-Nún the Egyptian that a new agitation and madness was born within him.
شور چندان شد که تا فوق فلک ** میرسید از وی جگرها را نمک
His agitation became so great that salt (bitterness) from it was reaching (all) hearts up to above the sky.
هین منه تو شور خود ای شوره خاک ** پهلوی شور خداوندان پاک
Beware, O (thou of) salty soil, do not put thy agitation beside (in comparison with) the agitation of the holy lords (saints).
خلق را تاب جنون او نبود ** آتش او ریشهاشان میربود
The people could not endure his madness: his fire was carrying off their beards.
چون که در ریش عوام آتش فتاد ** بند کردندش به زندانی نهاد1390
When (that) fire fell on the beards of the vulgar, they bound him and put him in a prison.
نیست امکان واکشیدن این لگام ** گر چه زین ره تنگ میآیند عام
There is no possibility of pulling back this rein, though the vulgar be distressed by this way.
دیده این شاهان ز عامه خوف جان ** کاین گره کورند و شاهان بینشان
These (spiritual) kings have seen (themselves in) danger of their lives from the vulgar; for this multitude are blind, and the kings (are) without (a visible) mark.
چون که حکم اندر کف رندان بود ** لاجرم ذو النون در زندان بود
When authority is in the hands of profligates, (a) Dhu ’l-Nún is inevitably in prison.
یک سواره میرود شاه عظیم ** در کف طفلان چنین در یتیم
The great king rides alone! Such a unique pearl in the hands of children!
در چه دریا نهان در قطرهای ** آفتابی مخفی اندر ذرهای1395
What pearl? (Nay), the Sea hidden in a drop, a Sun concealed in a mote.