در جهان باژگونه زین بسی است ** در نظرشان گوهری کم از خسی است
In the topsy-turvy world there is many a one of this (kind): a pearl is less than a straw in their sight.
مر بیابان را مفازه نام شد ** نام و رنگی عقلشان را دام شد
Every desert has been named mafáza (place of safety): a name and specious form has ensnared their understanding.
یک گره را خود معرف جامه است ** در قبا گویند کاو از عامه است
In the case of one class of people, the dress makes (a man) known: (if he is dressed) in a qabá, they say that he belongs to the vulgar.
یک گره را ظاهر سالوس زهد ** نور باید تا بود جاسوس زهد1475
In the case of one class of people (the distinguishing mark is) the hypocritical appearance of asceticism; (but) light is needed, that (any one) may be a spy on asceticism (and detect its true character).
نور باید پاک از تقلید و غول ** تا شناسد مرد را بیفعل و قول
Light is needed, (a light) purged of cant and noxiousness, that he may know a man without (the evidence of) deed or word,
در رود در قلب او از راه عقل ** نقد او بیند نباشد بند نقل
And enter into his heart by way of the intellect, and behold his real state and not be confined to tradition.
بندگان خاص علام الغیوب ** در جهان جان جواسیس القلوب
The chosen servants of (God) the Knower of things unseen are, in the spiritual world, the spies on hearts.
در درون دل در آید چون خیال ** پیش او مکشوف باشد سر حال
He (such a one) enters within the heart like a fancy: the mystery of the (real) state is unveiled to him.
در تن گنجشک چه بود برگ و ساز ** که شود پوشیده آن بر عقل باز1480
In the body of the sparrow what power and faculty is there that is hidden from the intellect of the falcon?
آن که واقف گشت بر اسرار هو ** سر مخلوقات چه بود پیش او
He who has become acquainted with the secrets of Hú (God), what to him is the secret (inmost consciousness) of created beings?
آن که بر افلاک رفتارش بود ** بر زمین رفتن چه دشوارش بود
He whose walk is on the spheres, how should it be hard for him to walk on the earth?
در کف داود کاهن گشت موم ** موم چه بود در کف او ای ظلوم
Since iron became wax in the hand of David, what should wax be in his hand, O man of iniquity?
بود لقمان بنده شکلی خواجهای ** بندگی بر ظاهرش دیباجهای
Luqmán was a slave in appearance, a master (in reality): servitude was (only) a frontispiece on his outside.
چون رود خواجه به جای ناشناس ** در غلام خویش پوشاند لباس1485
When the master goes to a place where he is not known, he puts (his own) clothes on his slave.
او بپوشد جامههای آن غلام ** مر غلام خویش را سازد امام
He (himself) puts on the slave's clothes and makes his slave the leader.
در پیش چون بندگان در ره شود ** تا نباید زو کسی آگه شود
He goes behind him on the road, as slaves do, lest any one should recognise him (as the master).
گوید ای بنده تو رو بر صدر شین ** من بگیرم کفش چون بندهی کهین
“O slave,” says he, “go you and sit in the place of honour: I will take (your) shoes, like the meanest slave.
تو درشتی کن مرا دشنام ده ** مر مرا تو هیچ توقیری منه
Treat (me) roughly and revile me; do not bestow any respect on me.
ترک خدمت خدمت تو داشتم ** تا به غربت تخم حیلت کاشتم1490
I hold neglect of service to be your (proper) service, since I have sown the seed of contrivance by dwelling in a foreign land.”
خواجگان این بندگیها کردهاند ** تا گمان آید که ایشان بردهاند
Masters have performed these slavish offices in order that it might be thought that they were slaves.
چشم پر بودند و سیر از خواجگی ** کارها را کردهاند آمادگی
They saw their fill of masterdom and were sated (with it): (hence) they have made ready for (doing) the work (of slaves).
وین غلامان هوا بر عکس آن ** خویشتن بنموده خواجهی عقل و جان
On the contrary, these slaves of sensuality have represented themselves as masters of intellect and spirit.
آید از خواجه ره افکندگی ** ناید از بنده بغیر بندگی
From the master (the spiritual man) comes the practice of self-abasement; from the slave (the sensual man) comes naught but slavishness.
پس از آن عالم بدین عالم چنان ** تعبیتها هست بر عکس این بدان1495
So topsy-turvy, then, are the arrangements between that world and this world. Know this (for sure).
خواجهی لقمان از این حال نهان ** بود واقف دیده بود از وی نشان
Luqmán's master was aware of this hidden state (of Luqmán); he had seen signs (thereof) in him.