چون به معراج حقایق رفته بود ** بیبهارش غنچهها نشکفته بود
(For) after he had gone in the ascension to (spiritual) realities, without his (life-giving) springtide the buds (of mystic knowledge) were unburst (in my heart)—
چون ز دریا سوی ساحل باز گشت ** چنگ شعر مثنوی با ساز گشت5
When (I say) he returned from the Sea towards the shore, the lyre of the poesy of the Mathnawí became attuned (again).
مثنوی که صیقل ارواح بود ** باز گشتش روز استفتاح بود
The Mathnawí, which was the burnisher (purifier) of spirits —his return was the day of (my) seeking (an auspicious) commencement (for it).
مطلع تاریخ این سودا و سود ** سال اندر ششصد و شصت و دو بود
The date of beginning this gainful (spiritual) traffic was in the year six hundred and sixty-two.
بلبلی ز ینجا برفت و باز گشت ** بهر صید این معانی باز گشت
A nightingale went hence and returned: it became a falcon for hunting these spiritual truths.
ساعد شه مسکن این باز باد ** تا ابد بر خلق این در باز باد
May this falcon's resting-place be the fore-arm of the King! May this gate (to the Truth) be open to (all) the people unto everlasting!
آفت این در هوا و شهوت است ** ور نه اینجا شربت اندر شربت است10
The bane of this gate is sensuality and lust; else, draught on draught (of spiritual knowledge) is (to be found) here.
این دهان بر بند تا بینی عیان ** چشم بند آن جهان حلق و دهان
Close this mouth that you may see plainly: gullet and mouth are the eye-bandage (which makes you blind) to yonder world.
ای دهان تو خود دهانه‌ای دوزخی ** وی جهان تو بر مثال برزخی
O mouth, verily thou art the mouth of Hell; and, O world, thou art like the intermediate state.
نور باقی پهلوی دنیای دون ** شیر صافی پهلوی جوهای خون
The everlasting light is beside this low world, the pure milk is beside rivers of blood.