چون اساس خانهای میافگنند ** اولین بنیاد را بر میکنند1830
When they lay the foundation of a house (to rebuild it), they dig up the first foundation.
گل بر آرند اول از قعر زمین ** تا به آخر بر کشی ماء معین
(Also), people first fetch up clay from the depths of the earth in order that at last you may draw up flowing water.
از حجامت کودکان گریند زار ** که نمیدانند ایشان سر کار
Children weep piteously at cupping, for they know not the secret of the matter;
مرد خود زر میدهد حجام را ** مینوازد نیش خون آشام را
(But) a man, in sooth, gives the cupper gold and fondles the blood-drinking lancet.
میدود حمال زی بار گران ** میرباید بار را از دیگران
The porter runs to the heavy load: he snatches the load from others.
جنگ حمالان برای بار بین ** این چنین است اجتهاد کار بین1835
Behold the struggle of the porters for the load! Such is the endeavour of him that sees (the truth of) things,
چون گرانیها اساس راحت است ** تلخها هم پیشوای نعمت است
Inasmuch as burdens are the foundation of ease, and bitter things, too, are the forerunners of enjoyment.
حفت الجنة بمکروهاتنا ** حفت النیران من شهواتنا
Paradise is compassed about with the things we dislike (to do); the fires (of Hell) are compassed about with our lusts.
تخم مایهی آتشت شاخ تر است ** سوختهی آتش قرین کوثر است
The seed (source) of the substance of your fire (of torment) is the fresh bough (of lust); (but) he that is burned by the fire (of renunciation) is the comrade of Kawthar.
هر که در زندان قرین محنتی است ** آن جزای لقمهای و شهوتی است
Whosoever is the comrade of affliction in prison—that is the retribution for a mouthful (of unlawful food) and a lust.
هر که در قصری قرین دولتی است ** آن جزای کارزار و محنتی است1840
Whosoever is the comrade of a high fortune in a palace— that is the reward for some battle-field and sore trial.
هر که را دیدی به زر و سیم فرد ** دان که اندر کسب کردن صبر کرد
Whomsoever you have seen unrivalled in (his store of) gold and silver—know that he has been patient in earning.
بیسبب بیند چو دیده شد گذار ** تو که در حسی سبب را گوش دار
When the (spiritual) eye has become piercing, he (the owner) sees without causes. You who are in (the bondage of) sense-perception, pay you heed to causes!
آن که بیرون از طبایع جان اوست ** منصب خرق سببها آن اوست
He whose spirit is beyond (the world of) natural properties— to him belongs the position of power to rive (the chain of) causes.
بیسبب بیند نه از آب و گیا ** چشم چشمهی معجزات انبیا
The (spiritual) eye regards the fountain of the miracles of the prophets as (being) without cause, not as (arising) from water and herbage.
این سبب همچون طبیب است و علیل ** این سبب همچون چراغ است و فتیل1845
These causes are (linked together) like the physician and the sick: these causes are like the lamp and the wick.