زان نیامد یک عبارت در جهان ** که نهانست و نهانست و نهان
Not one word (capable of) expressing it has (ever) come into the world, for it is hidden, hidden, hidden,
زانک این اسما و الفاظ حمید ** از گلابه‌ی آدمی آمد پدید
Inasmuch as these glorious names and words were manifested from the reel (uttered from the mouth) of Adam.
علم الاسما بد آدم را امام ** لیک نه اندر لباس عین و لام2970
He (God) taught (him) the names was an Imám (an infallible authority) for Adam; but (the teaching was) not in the garb of (letters such as) ‘ayn and lám.
چون نهاد از آب و گل بر سر کلاه ** گشت آن اسمای جانی روسیاه
When he put on his head the cap of water and clay, those spiritual names became black-faced,
که نقاب حرف و دم در خود کشید ** تا شود بر آب و گل معنی پدید
For they assumed the veil of letters and breath, (only) in order that the essential reality might (gradually) be made manifest to the water and clay.
گرچه از یک وجه منطق کاشف است ** لیک از ده وجه پرده و مکنف است
Although from one point of view speech is a revealer, yet from ten points of view it is a curtain and concealer.
گفتن خلیل مر جبرئیل را علیهماالسلام چون پرسیدش کی الک حاجة خلیل جوابش داد کی اما الیک فلا
How Khalíl (Abraham) answered Gabriel, on both of whom be peace, when he asked him, "Hast thou any need?"—"As regards need of thee, no!"
من خلیل وقتم و او جبرئیل ** من نخواهم در بلا او را دلیل
“I am the Khalíl (Abraham) of the present time, and he is the Gabriel: I do not want him as a guide (to deliver me) in calamity.
او ادب ناموخت از جبریل راد ** که بپرسید از خیل حق مراد2975
He did not learn respectfulness (as he might) from noble Gabriel, who asked the Friend of God (Abraham) what was his wish,
که مرادت هست تا یاری کنم ** ورنه بگریزم سبکباری کنم
Saying, ‘Hast thou a wish?—that I may help (thee to obtain it); otherwise, I will flee and make a speedy departure.’
گفت ابراهیم نی رو از میان ** واسطه زحمت بود بعد العیان
Abraham said, ‘No; begone out of the way! After direct vision the intermediary is (only) an inconvenience.’