بد چه باشد مس محتاج مهان ** شیخ که بود کیمیای بیکران
What is evil? The needy, despicable copper. Who is the Shaykh? The infinite elixir.
مس اگر از کیمیا قابل نبد ** کیمیا از مس هرگز مس نشد
If the copper was incapable (of being transmuted) by the elixir, (yet) the elixir was never turned into copper by the copper.
بد چه باشد سرکشی آتش عمل ** شیخ که بود عین دریای ازل3345
What is evil? A rebel that works like fire. Who is the Shaykh? The very Seal of Eternity.
دایم آتش را بترسانند از آب ** آب کی ترسید هرگز ز التهاب
Fire is always terrified by water. When was water ever afraid of being set aflame?
در رخ مه عیب بینی میکنی ** در بهشتی خارچینی میکنی
You are observing defects on the face of the moon: you are picking thorns in a Paradise.
گر بهشت اندر روی تو خار جو ** هیچ خار آن جا نیابی غیر تو
Picker of thorns, if you go into Paradise, you will find there no thorn but yourself.
میبپوشی آفتابی در گلی ** رخنه میجویی ز بدر کاملی
You are covering a sun with a sod: you are seeking flaws in a perfect full-moon.
آفتابی که بتابد در جهان ** بهر خفاشی کجا گردد نهان3350
A sun which shines throughout the world––how shall it be hidden for the sake of a bat?
عیبها از رد پیران عیب شد ** غیبها از رشک ایشان غیب شد
Sins are made sinful by the disapproval of Pírs; mysteries are made mysterious by their jealousy.
باری از دوری ز خدمت یار باش ** در ندامت چابک و بر کار باش
If you are far (aloof in spirit from the saints), at any rate be joined (with them) through (paying) respect (to them): be alert and active in (showing) penitence,
تا از آن راهت نسیمی میرسد ** آب رحمت را چه بندی از حسد
(In the hope) that a breeze may be coming to you from that way (quarter). Why do you shut off the water of mercy by (your) enviousness?
گر چه دوری دور میجنبان تو دم ** حیث ما کنتم فولوا وجهکم
Though you are far aloof, at (that) distance wag your tail (ingratiate yourself with them): wherever ye be, turn your faces (thither).
چون خری در گل فتد از گام تیز ** دمبهدم جنبد برای عزم خیز3355
When an ass falls in mire through (going at) a rapid pace, he moves incessantly for the purpose of rising.
جای را هموار نکند بهر باش ** داند او که نیست آن جای معاش
He does not make the place smooth (and comfortable) to stay in: he knows that it is not the place where he should live.
حس تو از حس خر کمتر بده ست ** که دل تو زین وحلها بر نجست
Your sense has been less than the sense of the ass, for your heart has not recoiled from these clods of mud.
در وحل تاویل رخصت میکنی ** چون نمیخواهی کز آن دل بر کنی
You interpret (some canonical text) as an indulgence (authorising you to stay) in the mud, since you are not willing to tear your heart from it.
کاین روا باشد مرا من مضطرم ** حق نگیرد عاجزی را از کرم
(You say), “This is allowable for me: I am under compulsion. God in His kindness will not chastise a helpless one (like me).”
خود گرفته ستت تو چون کفتار کور ** این گرفتن را نبینی از غرور3360
Indeed He has (already) chastised you, (but) like the blind hyena from self-deception you do not see the chastisement.
میگوند این جایگه کفتار نیست ** از برون جویید کاندر غار نیست
They (the hunters) are saying, "The hyena is not in this place; look for him outside, for he is not in the cave."
این همیگویند و بندش مینهند ** او همیگوید ز من بیآگهند
If the enemy had known of me, how should he have exclaimed, "Where is that hyena'?"
گر ز من آگاه بودی این عدو ** کی ندا کردی که آن کفتار کو
دعویکردن آن شخص که خدای تعالی مرا نمیگیرد به گناه و جواب گفتن شعیب علیه السلام مر او را
The statement of a certain individual that God most High would not punish him for sin, and Shu‘ayb’s answer to him.
آن یکی میگفت در عهد شعیب ** که خدا از من بسی دیده ست عیب
In the time of Shu‘ayb a certain man was saying, “God hath seen many a fault from me.
چند دید از من گناه و جرمها ** و ز کرم یزدان نمیگیرد مرا3365
How many sins and trespasses hath He seen me commit! And (still), God in His kindness does not punish me.”
حق تعالی گفت در گوش شعیب ** در جواب او فصیح از راه غیب
In answer to him God most High by the mysterious way spoke clearly into the ear of Shu‘ayb,
که بگفتی چند کردم من گناه ** و ز کرم نگرفت در جرمم اله
Saying, “(Tell him), Thou hast said, ‘How many sins have I committed! And (still) God in His kindness hath not punished me for my trespasses.’