نار ضد نور باشد روز عدل ** کان ز قهر انگیخته شد این ز فضل
On the Day of Justice (Judgement) the fire will be the opponent of the light, since the former was aroused by (God's) wrath, the latter by (His) grace.
گر همیخواهی تو دفع شر نار ** آب رحمت بر دل آتش گمار
If you are wishing to remove the evil of the fire, direct the water of (Divine) mercy against the heart of the fire.
چشمهی آن آب رحمت مومن است ** آب حیوان روح پاک محسن است
The true believer is the fountain of that water of mercy: the pure spirit of the well-doer is the Water of Life.
بس گریزان است نفس تو از او ** ز انکه تو از آتشی او آب جو
Hence your fleshly soul is fleeing mightily from him, because you are of fire, (while) he (is) the water of the stream.
ز آب آتش ز آن گریزان میشود ** کاتشش از آب ویران میشود1255
Fire becomes fleeing from water for the reason that its fire (flame and heat) is ruined by water.
حس و فکر تو همه از آتش است ** حس شیخ و فکر او نور خوش است
Your sense and thought are wholly of the fire; the sense of the Shaykh (spiritual guide) and his thought are the beauteous Light.
آب نور او چو برآتش چکد ** چک چک از آتش بر آید بر جهد
When the water of his light trickles on the fire, chak chak (a gnashing sound) rises from the fire, and it leaps up (in fury).
چون کند چک چک تو گویش مرگ و درد ** تا شود این دوزخ نفس تو سرد
When it makes (the sound) chak chak, say you to it, “Death and woe (to thee),” in order that this hell, (which is) your fleshly soul, may become cold (quenched),
تا نسوزد او گلستان تو را ** تا نسوزد عدل و احسان تو را
So that it may not burn your rose-garden, so that it may not burn your justice and well doing.
بعد از آن چیزی که کاری بردهد ** لاله و نسرین و سیسنبردهد1260
After that, anything that you sow will yield fruit (or flowers); it will yield anemones and wild roses and thyme.
باز پهنا میرویم از راه راست ** باز گرد ای خواجه راه ما کجاست
Once more we are going wide of the straight way: turn back, O master—where is our way?
اندر آن تقریر بودیم ای حسود ** که خرت لنگ است و منزل دور زود
We were (engaged) in showing, O envious one, that your ass is lame and the place of alighting (journey's end) far off, (so you must be) quick.
سال بیگه گشت وقت کشت نی ** جز سیه رویی و فعل زشت نی
The year has turned late; it is not sowing-time, (and you have produced) nothing except black shame and foul deeds.
کرم در بیخ درخت تن فتاد ** بایدش بر کند و در آتش نهاد
The worm has entered the root of the body's tree: it must be dug up and put in the fire.
هین و هین ای راه رو بیگاه شد ** آفتاب عمر سوی چاه شد1265
Hark and hark (again), O wayfarer! ’Tis late, life's sun is gone towards the pit (is about to set).
این دو روزک را که زورت هست زود ** پیر افشانی بکن از راه جود
(During) these (one or) two brief days when you have (some) strength, (be) quick, devote the old man (your old age) generously (to serving God).
این قدر تخمی که مانده ستت بباز ** تا بروید زین دو دم عمر دراز
Devote this (small) amount of seed that you have remaining, in order that long life may grow from these (one or) two moments.
تا نمرده ست این چراغ با گهر ** هین فتیلهاش ساز و روغن زودتر
Whilst this jewelled lamp is not (yet) extinguished, see you trim its wick and (supply it with) oil immediately.
هین مگو فردا که فرداها گذشت ** تا به کلی نگذرد ایام کشت
Beware! Do not say “To-morrow”—for (many) to-morrows have passed. Let not the days of sowing pass away altogether.
پند من بشنو که تن بند قوی است ** کهنه بیرون کن گرت میل نوی است1270
Listen to my admonition that the body is a strong bond: put off the old, if you have desire for newness.
لب ببند و کف پر زر بر گشا ** بخل تن بگذار و پیش آور سخا
Shut the lips and open the palm filled with gold: leave off being a miser with the body, exhibit munificence.
ترک شهوتها و لذتها سخاست ** هر که در شهوت فرو شد بر نخاست
Munificence is the abandonment of lusts and pleasures; no one who is sunken in lust rises up (again).
این سخا شاخی است از سرو بهشت ** وای او کز کف چنین شاخی بهشت
This munificence is a branch of the cypress of Paradise: woe to him that lets such a branch go from his hand!
عروة الوثقی است این ترک هوا ** بر کشد این شاخ جان را بر سما
This abandonment of sensuality is the firmest handle: this branch draws the spirit up to Heaven.
تا برد شاخ سخا ای خوب کیش ** مر ترا بالا کشان تا اصل خویش1275
(So act) that the branch of munificence, O righteous man, drawing you aloft may bear you to its origin.