خاک او کردند بر سرهای خویش ** درد او دیدند درمان جای خویش
They put his (grave's) earth on their heads; they deemed anguish for him to be the remedy for themselves.
آن خلایق بر سر گورش مهی ** کرده خون را از دو چشم خود رهی
During a month those multitudes over his grave made a way for blood from their eyes (shed tears of anguish).
طلب کردن امت عیسی علیه السلام از امرا که ولی عهد از شما کدام است
How the people of Jesus—on him be peace!—asked the amírs, “Which one of you is the successor?”
بعد ماهی خلق گفتند ای مهان ** از امیران کیست بر جایش نشان
After a month the people said, “O chiefs, which of (the) amírs is designated in his place,
تا به جای او شناسیمش امام ** دست و دامن را بدست او دهیم
That we may acknowledge him as our religious leader instead of him (the vizier), and give our hands and skirts into his hand?
چون که شد خورشید و ما را کرد داغ ** چاره نبود بر مقامش از چراغ670
Since the sun is gone and has branded us (left the brand of sorrow in our hearts), is not a lamp the (only) resource in his stead?
چون که شد از پیش دیده وصل یار ** نایبی باید از او مان یادگار
Since union with the beloved has vanished from before our eyes, we must needs have a vicar as a memorial of him (i.e. one who will recall him to our memory).
چون که گل بگذشت و گلشن شد خراب ** بوی گل را از که یابیم از گلاب
Since the rose is past and the garden ravaged, from whom shall we get the perfume of the rose? From rosewater.”
چون خدا اندر نیاید در عیان ** نایب حقاند این پیغمبران
Inasmuch as God comes not into sight, these prophets are the vicars of God.
نه غلط گفتم که نایب با منوب ** گر دو پنداری قبیح آید نه خوب
Nay, I have said (this) wrongly; for if you suppose that the vicar and He who is represented by the vicar are two, it (such a thought) is bad, not good.
نه دو باشد تا تویی صورت پرست ** پیش او یک گشت کز صورت برست675
Nay; they are two so long as you are a worshipper of form, (but) they have become one to him who has escaped from (consciousness of) form.
چون به صورت بنگری چشم تو دست ** تو به نورش درنگر کز چشم رست
When you look at the form, your eye is two; look at its (the eye's) light, which grew from the eye.
نور هر دو چشم نتوان فرق کرد ** چون که در نورش نظر انداخت مرد
’Tis impossible to distinguish the light of the two eyes, when a man has cast his look upon their light.
ده چراغ ار حاضر آید در مکان ** هر یکی باشد به صورت غیر آن
If ten lamps are present in (one) place, each differs in form from another:
فرق نتوان کرد نور هر یکی ** چون به نورش روی آری بیشکی
To distinguish without any doubt the light of each, when you turn your face towards their light, is impossible.
گر تو صد سیب و صد آبی بشمری ** صد نماند یک شود چون بفشری680
If you count a hundred apples or a hundred quinces, they do not remain a hundred (but) become one, when you crush them (together).
در معانی قسمت و اعداد نیست ** در معانی تجزیه و افراد نیست
In things spiritual there is no division and no numbers; in things spiritual there is no partition and no individuals.
اتحاد یار با یاران خوش است ** پای معنی گیر صورت سرکش است
Sweet is the oneness of the Friend with His friends: catch (and cling to) the foot of spirit. Form is headstrong.
صورت سرکش گدازان کن به رنج ** تا ببینی زیر او وحدت چو گنج
Make headstrong form waste away with tribulation, that beneath it you may descry unity, like a (buried) treasure;
ور تو نگذاری عنایتهای او ** خود گدازد ای دلم مولای او
And if you waste it not away, His favours will waste it—oh, my heart is His vassal.
او نماید هم به دلها خویش را ** او بدوزد خرقهی درویش را685
He even showeth Himself to (our) hearts, He seweth the tattered frock of the dervish.
منبسط بودیم و یک جوهر همه ** بیسر و بیپا بدیم آن سر همه
Simple were we and all one substance; we were all without head and without foot yonder.
یک گهر بودیم همچون آفتاب ** بیگره بودیم و صافی همچو آب
We were one substance, like the Sun; we were knotless and pure, like water.
چون به صورت آمد آن نور سره ** شد عدد چون سایههای کنگره
When that goodly Light took form, it became (many in) number like the shadows of a battlement.
کنگره ویران کنید از منجنیق ** تا رود فرق از میان این فریق
Rase ye the battlement with the manjaníq (mangonel), that difference may vanish from amidst this company (of shadows).
شرح این را گفتمی من از مری ** لیک ترسم تا نلغزد خاطری690
I would have explained this (matter) with (eager) contention, but I fear lest some (weak) mind may stumble.