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آنچنان که اندر دل از هجر و وصال ** می‌شود بافیده گوناگون خیال
- ’Tis like as (when) from separation and union diverse fancies are woven (conceived) in the heart.
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هیچ ماند این مثر با اثر ** هیچ ماند بانگ و نوحه با ضرر
- Does this cause ever resemble its effect? Does the cry (of pain) and lamentation ever resemble the loss (that caused it)?
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نوحه را صورت ضرر بی‌صورتست ** دست خایند از ضرر کش نیست دست
- The lamentation has a form, the loss is formless: they (the losers) gnaw their hands on account of a loss that has no hand.
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این مثل نالایقست ای مستدل ** حیله‌ی تفهیم را جهد المقل
- This comparison, O seeker of guidance, does not fit (the case), (but) ’tis the best effort a poor man can make to explain it.
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صنع بی‌صورت بکارد صورتی ** تن بروید با حواس و آلتی 3720
- The formless working (of God) sows (the seed of) a form (idea), (whence) there grows up a body endowed with senses and a (rational) faculty,
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تا چه صورت باشد آن بر وفق خود ** اندر آرد جسم را در نیک و بد
- So that the form (idea), whatever it be, according to its own nature brings the body into (a state of) good or evil.
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صورت نعمت بود شاکر شود ** صورت مهلت بود صابر شود
- If it be a form (idea) of beneficence, it (the body) turns to thanksgiving; if it be a form of deferment, it (the body) becomes patient;
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صورت رحمی بود بالان شود ** صورت زخمی بود نالان شود
- If it be a form of mercy, it (the body) becomes flourishing; if it be a form of repulse, it (the body) becomes full of moans;
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صورت شهری بود گیرد سفر ** صورت تیری بود گیرد سپر
- If it be the form of a city, it (the body) takes a journey (thither); if it be the form of an arrow, it (the body) takes a shield (in defence);
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صورت خوبان بود عشرت کند ** صورت غیبی بود خلوت کند 3725
- If it be the form of fair ones, it (the body) indulges in enjoyment; if it be a form of the unseen world, it (the body) practises religious seclusion.