When you are forgetful of self, you are remembered (by God): (when) you have become a slave (to Him), then you are set free.
نومید شدن انبیا از قبول و پذیرای منکران قوله حتی اذا استیاس الرسل
How the prophets lost hope of being accepted and approved by the unbelievers, as God hath said: “Until, when the (Divine) Messengers despaired…”
انبیا گفتند با خاطر که چند ** می‌دهیم این را و آن را وعظ و پند
The prophets said to their hearts (to themselves), “How long shall we continue giving exhortation and counsel to this one and that one?
چند کوبیم آهن سردی ز غی ** در دمیدن در قفض هین تا بکی
How long shall we misguidedly beat a piece of cold iron? Hark, till when (how long shall we continue) to breathe into a cage?”
جنبش خلق از قضا و وعده است ** تیزی دندان ز سوز معده است
The motion (action) of created beings is (caused) by Divine destiny and appointment: the sharpness of the teeth is (caused) by the burning (hunger pangs) of the stomach.
نفس اول راند بر نفس دوم ** ماهی از سر گنده باشد نه ز دم3080
The First Soul pushed (produced an effect) upon the second soul: a fish stinks from the head, not from the tail.
لیک هم می‌دان و خر می‌ران چو تیر ** چونک بلغ گفت حق شد ناگزیر
But, whilst recognising (this), still speed on like an arrow: since God hath said, “Deliver (the Divine message),” there is no escape (from doing so).
تو نمی‌دانی کزین دو کیستی ** جهد کن چندانک بینی چیستی
You do not know which of these two you are: strive (then) so long (as is necessary) that you may discern what you are.
چون نهی بر پشت کشتی بار را ** بر توکل می‌کنی آن کار را
When you put a cargo on board a ship, you are making that venture on trust,
تو نمی‌دانی که از هر دو کیی ** غرقه‌ای اندر سفر یا ناجیی
(For) you do not know which of the two you are—whether you are (destined to be) drowned on the voyage or saved (from death).
گر بگویی تا ندانم من کیم ** بر نخواهم تاخت در کشتی و یم3085
If you say, “Until I know which I am, I will not hasten on to (embark on) the ship and the ocean;