که صفات خواجهتاش و یار من ** هست صد چندان که این گفتار من
(I swear) that the (good) qualities of my fellow-servant and friend exceed my description (of them) a hundredfold.
آن چه میدانم ز وصف آن ندیم ** باورت ناید چه گویم ای کریم
That which I know of the (spiritual) endowments of that comrade (of mine) would not be believed by thee: what shall I say, O noble (king)?”
شاه گفت اکنون از آن خود بگو ** چند گویی آن این و آن او
The King said, “Now speak of your own (case); how long will you speak of what concerns this or that one?
تو چه داری و چه حاصل کردهای ** از تگ دریا چه در آوردهای
What do you possess and what have you gained? What pearls have you fetched from the bottom of the Sea?
روز مرگ این حس تو باطل شود ** نور جان داری که یار دل شود940
On the day of death this sense-perception of yours will vanish: have you the spiritual light that should be the companion of your heart?
در لحد کاین چشم را خاک آگند ** هستت آن چه گور را روشن کند
When dust shall fill these eyes in the tomb, have you that which will make the grave bright?
آن زمان که دست و پایت بر درد ** پر و بالت هست تا جان بر پرد
At the time when your hands and feet shall be torn in shreds, have you wings and plumes that your spirit may fly aloft?
آن زمان کاین جان حیوانی نماند ** جان باقی بایدت بر جا نشاند
At the time when this animal soul is no more, it behoves you to set the everlasting spirit in its place.
شرط من جا بالحسن نه کردن است ** این حسن را سوی حضرت بردن است
The stipulation of (implied in) he that comes with good (shall be rewarded tenfold) does not consist in doing (good); it consists in bringing this good to the presence of God.
جوهری داری ز انسان یا خری ** این عرضها که فنا شد چون بری945
You have a substance (essence) human or asinine (bestial): (bring that to God): how can you bring (to Him) these accidents (of word or deed) which have passed away?
این عرضهای نماز و روزه را ** چون که لا یبقی زمانین انتفی
As regards these accidents of prayer and fasting—since (that which) does not endure for two moments becomes naught—
نقل نتوان کرد مر اعراض را ** لیک از جوهر برند امراض را
’Tis impossible to carry over the accidents (into another state); but they (may) take away diseases (defects) from the substance,
تا مبدل گشت جوهر زین عرض ** چون ز پرهیزی که زایل شد مرض
So that the substance becomes changed by means of this accident, as when disease is removed by abstinence.
گشت پرهیز عرض جوهر به جهد ** شد دهان تلخ از پرهیز شهد
By exertion abstinence, (which is) the accident, becomes the substance: through abstinence the acrid mouth becomes (sweet as) honey.
از زراعت خاکها شد سنبله ** داروی مو کرد مو را سلسله950
Land, through sowing, is turned into ears of corn; remedies for the hair turn the hair into chains (make it long and curly).
آن نکاح زن عرض بد شد فنا ** جوهر فرزند حاصل شد ز ما
Conjugal intercourse was the accident; it passed away, and the substance, (which is) the child, was produced from us.
جفت کردن اسب و اشتر را عرض ** جوهر کره بزاییدن غرض
The mating of horse or camel is the accident; the object is the birth of the colt, (which is) the substance.
هست آن بستان نشاندن هم عرض ** گشت جوهر کشت بستان نک غرض
Similarly, the planting of the garden is the accident; the produce (of the garden) became the substance: take ( it and) behold the object!
هم عرض دان کیمیا بردن بکار ** جوهری ز آن کیمیا گر شد بیار
Regard, also, the practice of alchemy as the accident; if a substance is produced by that alchemy, bring (it into view).
صیقلی کردن عرض باشد شها ** زین عرض جوهر همیزاید صفا955
Burnishing is the accident, O prince; from this accident is born the substance, purity.
پس مگو که من عملها کردهام ** دخل آن اعراض را بنما مرم
Do not say, then, ‘I have done deeds’; show the income (fruit) of those accidents, do not evade (my request).
این صفت کردن عرض باشد خمش ** سایهی بز را پی قربان مکش
This attribution of qualities is (only) an accident. Be silent: do not kill for sacrifice the goat's shadow!”
گفت شاها بیقنوط عقل نیست ** گر تو فرمایی عرض را نقل نیست
The slave said, “O King, the mind cannot but despair if you say that accidents are not carried over.
پادشاها جز که یاس بنده نیست ** گر عرض کان رفت باز آینده نیست
O King, there is nothing but despair for the servant (of God), if the accident that has gone is not coming back.
گر نبودی مر عرض را نقل و حشر ** فعل بودی باطل و اقوال فشر960
If there were no carrying over and resurrection of accidents, action would be vain and words (mere) babble.