دانه‌ی هر میوه آمد در زمین ** بعد از آن سرها بر آورد از دفین
The seed of every fruit entered into the earth; afterwards it raised up heads (shoots) from the buried (root).
اصل نعمتها ز گردون تا بخاک ** زیر آمد شد غذای جان پاک460
The source of (all) blessings descended from Heaven to the earth and became the nutriment of the pure (vital) spirit.
از تواضع چون ز گردون شد بزیر ** گشت جزو آدمی حی دلیر
Forasmuch as it came down from Heaven on account of humility, it became part of the living and valiant man.
پس صفات آدمی شد آن جماد ** بر فراز عرش پران گشت شاد
Hence that inanimate matter (rain and sunlight) was turned into human qualities and soared joyously above the empyrean,
کز جهان زنده ز اول آمدیم ** باز از پستی سوی بالا شدیم
Saying, “We came at first from the living world, and have (now) gone back from below to above.”
جمله اجزا در تحرک در سکون ** ناطقان که انا الیه راجعون
All particles (of phenomenal being), (whether) in movement (or) at rest, are speakers (and declare): “Verily, to Him we are returning.”
ذکر و تسبیحات اجزای نهان ** غلغلی افکند اندر آسمان465
The praises and glorifications of the hidden particles have filled Heaven with an uproar.
چون قضا آهنگ نارنجات کرد ** روستایی شهریی را مات کرد
When the Decree (of God) set out to (use) enchantments, the countryman checkmated a townsman.
با هزاران حزم خواجه مات شد ** زان سفر در معرض آفات شد
Notwithstanding thousands of (good) resolutions, the Khwája was checkmated, and from that journey (which he undertook) he fell into the midst of calamities.
اعتمادش بر ثبات خویش بود ** گرچه که بد نیم سیلش در ربود
His reliance was upon his own firmness, (but) though he was (as) a mountain, a half-flood swept him away.
چون قضا بیرون کند از چرخ سر ** عاقلان گردند جمله کور و کر
When the Decree puts forth its head from Heaven, all the intelligent become blind and deaf;
ماهیان افتند از دریا برون ** دام گیرد مرغ پران را زبون470
Fishes are cast out of the sea; the snare catches miserably the flying bird.
تا پری و دیو در شیشه شود ** بلک هاروتی به بابل در رود
Even genie and demon go into the bottle; nay, a Hárút goes into (the pit of) Babylon.
جز کسی کاندر قضا اندر گریخت ** خون او را هیچ تربیعی نریخت
(All are lost) except that one who has taken refuge with the Decree: his blood no (astrological) quadrature (ever) shed.
غیر آن که در گریزی در قضا ** هیچ حیله ندهدت از وی رها
Except that you take refuge with the Decree, no contrivance will give you release from it.
قصه‌ی اهل ضروان و حیلت کردن ایشان تا بی زحمت درویشان باغها را قطاف کنند
The Story of the people of Zarwán and how they contrived that they should pick the fruit in their orchards without being troubled by the poor.
قصه‌ی اصحاب ضروان خوانده‌ای ** پس چرا در حیله‌جویی مانده‌ای
You have read the story of the people of Zarwán: then why have you persisted in seeking expedients?
حیله می‌کردند کزدم‌نیش چند ** که برند از روزی درویش چند475
Several (noxious) men who stung like scorpions were contriving that they might cut off part of the daily bread of some poor folk.
شب همه شب می‌سگالیدند مکر ** روی در رو کرده چندین عمرو و بکر
During the night, the whole night, they were devising a plot; many a ‘Amr and Bakr had put their faces together.
خفیه می‌گفتند سرها آن بدان ** تا نباید که خدا در یابد آن
Those wicked men were speaking their inmost thoughts in secret, lest God should discover it.
با گل انداینده اسگالید گل ** دست کاری می‌کند پنهان ز دل
Did the clay devise (evil) against the Plasterer? Is the hand doing any work that is hidden from the heart?
گفت الا یعلم هواک من خلق ** ان فی نجواک صدقا ام ملق
He (God) hath said, “Doth not He who created (thee) know thy desire, (doth not He know) whether in thy secret conversation there is sincerity or cajolery?”
گفت یغفل عن ظعین قد غدا ** من یعاین این مثواه غدا480
He hath said, "Shall He be forgetful of a traveller who has set out at morn, One who sees plainly where shall be his lodging to-morrow?"
اینما قد هبطا او صعدا ** قد تولاه و احصی عددا
Wheresoever he has descended or mounted, He hath taken charge of it and reckoned (it) up by number.
گوش را اکنون ز غفلت پاک کن ** استماع هجر آن غمناک کن
Now purge your ear of forgetfulness and listen to the separation (forlorn plight) of the sorrowful one.
آن زکاتی دان که غمگین را دهی ** گوش را چون پیش دستانش نهی
Know that when you set your ear to his tale, that is the alms which you give to the sad;