آنک گوید راز قالت نملة ** هم بداند راز این طاق کهن
He that declares the mystery of “an ant said” will also know the mystery of this ancient dome.
دید از دورش که آن تسلیم کیش ** تلخش آمد فرقت آن تخت خویش
From afar he (Solomon) discerned that to her (Bilqís) who was following the path of resignation ‘twas bitter to part with her throne.
گر بگویم آن سبب گردد دراز ** که چرا بودش به تخت آن عشق و ساز
If I explain the reason why she had that love and complaisance to her throne, it (the discourse) will become (too) long.
گرچه این کلک قلم خود بی‌حسیست ** نیست جنس کاتب او را مونسیست875
Although this reed-pen is in fact an insensible thing and is not homogeneous with the writer, (yet) it is a familiar friend to him.
هم‌چنین هر آلت پیشه‌وری ** هست بی‌جان مونس جانوری
Likewise, every tool of a craftsman is, (though) lifeless, the familiar friend of the spirit of Man.
این سبب را من معین گفتمی ** گر نبودی چشم فهمت را نمی
This reason I would have explained precisely, if there were not some moisture (dimness) in the eye of your understanding.
از بزرگی تخت کز حد می‌فزود ** نقل کردن تخت را امکان نبود
There was no possibility of transporting the throne (from Sabá) because of its hugeness which exceeded (all) bounds.
خرده کاری بود و تفریقش خطر ** هم‌چو اوصال بدن با همدگر
It was filigree work, and there was danger in taking it to pieces, (since its parts were joined) like the limbs of the body with one another.
پس سلیمان گفت گر چه فی‌الاخیر ** سرد خواهد شد برو تاج و سریر880
Therefore Solomon said, “Although in the end the diadem and throne will become chilling (repulsive) to her”—
چون ز وحدت جان برون آرد سری ** جسم را با فر او نبود فری
(For) when the spirit puts forth its head (manifests itself) from the Unity (to which it has attained), in comparison with its splendour the body hath no splendour (at all);