این وسط در با نهایت میرود ** که مرا آن را اول و آخر بود3540
This mean belongs to (the realm of) the finite, for that (finite) has a beginning and end.
اول و آخر بباید تا در آن ** در تصور گنجد اوسط یا میان
A beginning and end are necessary in order that the mean or middle (point) between them may be conceived in imagination.
بینهایت چون ندارد دو طرف ** کی بود او را میانه منصرف
Inasmuch as the infinite has not (these) two limits, how should the mean be applicable to it?
اول و آخر نشانش کس نداد ** گفت لو کان له البحر مداد
No one has shown it to have beginning or end. He (God) said, ‘If the sea were to become ink for it (the Word of God)…’
هفت دریا گر شود کلی مداد ** نیست مر پایان شدن را هیچ امید
If the Seven Seas should become entirely ink, (still) there is no hope of coming to an end.
باغ و بیشه گر بود یک سر قلم ** زین سخن هرگز نگردد هیچ کم3545
If orchards and forests should become pens altogether, there would never be any decrease in this Word.
آن همه حبر و قلم فانی شود ** وین حدیث بیعدد باقی بود
All that ink and (all those) pens pass away, and this numberless Word is everlasting.
حالت من خواب را ماند گهی ** خواب پندارد مر آن را گمرهی
At times my state resembles sleep: a misguided person may think it is sleep.
چشم من خفته دلم بیدار دان ** شکل بیکار مرا بر کار دان
Know that my eyes are asleep, (but) my heart is awake: know that my (seemingly) inactive form is (really) in action.
گفت پیغمبر که عینای تنام ** لا ینام قلبی عن رب الأنام
The Prophet said, ‘My eyes sleep, (but) my heart is not asleep to the Lord of created beings.’
چشم تو بیدار و دل خفته به خواب ** چشم من خفته دلم در فتح باب3550
Your eyes are awake, and your heart is sunk in slumber; my eyes are asleep, (but) my heart is in (contemplation of) the opening of the door (of Divine grace).
مر دلم را پنج حس دیگر است ** حس دل را هر دو عالم منظر است
My heart hath five senses other (than the physical): both the worlds (external and spiritual) are the stage (theatre) for the senses of the heart.
تو ز ضعف خود مکن در من نگاه ** بر تو شب بر من همان شب چاشتگاه
Do not regard me from (the standpoint of) your infirmity: to you ’tis night, to me that same night is morningtide.
بر تو زندان بر من آن زندان چو باغ ** عین مشغولی مرا گشته فراغ
To you ’tis prison, to me that prison is like a garden: to me the most absolute state of occupation (with the world) has become (a state of spiritual) freedom.
پای تو در گل مرا گل گشته گل ** مر ترا ماتم مرا سور و دهل
Your feet are in the mud; to me the mud has become roses. You have mourning; I have feasting and drums.
در زمینم با تو ساکن در محل ** میدوم بر چرخ هفتم چون زحل3555
(Whilst) I am dwelling with you in some place on the earth, I am coursing over the seventh sphere (of Heaven), like Saturn.
همنشینت من نیم سایهی من است ** برتر از اندیشهها پایهی من است
’Tis not I that am seated beside you, ’tis my shadow: my rank is higher than (the reach of) thoughts,
ز انکه من ز اندیشهها بگذشتهام ** خارج اندیشه پویان گشتهام
Because I have passed beyond (all) thoughts, and have become a swift traveler outside (the region of) thought.
حاکم اندیشهام محکوم نی ** ز انکه بنا حاکم آمد بر بنا
I am the ruler of thought, not ruled (by it), because the builder is ruler over the building.
جمله خلقان سخرهی اندیشهاند ** ز آن سبب خسته دل و غم پیشهاند
All creatures are subjugated to thought; for that reason they are sore in heart and practised in sorrow.
قاصدا خود را به اندیشه دهم ** چون بخواهم از میانشان بر جهم3560
I yield myself to thought purposely, (but) when I will I spring up from the midst of them (that are under its sway).
من چو مرغ اوجم اندیشه مگس ** کی بود بر من مگس را دسترس
I am as a bird of the zenith, thought is a gnat: how should a gnat have power over me?
قاصدا زیر آیم از اوج بلند ** تا شکسته پایگان بر من تنند
Purposely I come down from the lofty zenith, that those of base degree may attain to me.
چون ملالم گیرد از سفلی صفات ** بر پرم همچون طیور الصافات
When disgust at the qualities of the low (world) seizes me, I soar up like the birds which spread their pinions.
پر من رسته ست هم از ذات خویش ** بر نچسبانم دو پر من با سریش
My wings have grown out of my very essence: I do not stick two wings on with glue.