پس مثل بشنو که در افواه خاست ** که اینچ بر ماست ای برادر هم ز ماست
Hearken, then, to the adage that issued from the mouths (of men)—“this which is (cast) upon us, O brother, is (derived) from us.”
زین حجاب این تشنگان کف‌پرست ** ز آب صافی اوفتاده دوردست 3430
Because of this veil, these thirsty ones who are (so) fond of the foam have got out of reach of the pure Water.
آفتابا با چو تو قبله و امام ** شب‌پرستی و خفاشی می‌کنیم
“O (Divine) Sun, notwithstanding (that we have) a qibla (object of adoration) and Imám like Thee, we worship the night and behave in the manner of bats.
سوی خود کن این خفاشان را مطار ** زین خفاشیشان بخر ای مستجار
Make these bats to fly towards Thee and redeem them from this bat-like disposition, O Thou whose protection is implored!
این جوان زین جرم ضالست و مغیر ** که بمن آمد ولی او را مگیر
This youth (the Amír), by (committing) this sin, has gone astray and trespassed (against Thee), for he came to me (for help); but do not chastise him.”
در عماد الملک این اندیشه‌ها ** گشته جوشان چون اسد در بیشه‌ها
In the ‘Imádu ’l-Mulk these thoughts were raging like a lion (rushing) through the jungles.
ایستاده پیش سلطان ظاهرش ** در ریاض غیب جان طایرش 3435
His exterior (person) stood before the Sultan, (but) his soaring spirit was in the meadows of the Unseen.
چون ملایک او به اقلیم الست ** هر دمی می‌شد به شرب تازه مست
Like the angels, he was momently being intoxicated with fresh draughts (of spiritual wine) in the realm of Alast;
اندرون سور و برون چون پر غمی ** در تن هم‌چون لحد خوش عالمی
Inwardly (merry as) a wedding-feast, but outwardly like a man filled with sorrow; a delectable world (concealed) in a tomb-like body.
او درین حیرت بد و در انتظار ** تا چه پیدا آید از غیب و سرار
He was in this (state of) bewilderment and waiting to see what would appear from the (world of) things occult and mysterious,