این فضیلت خاک را زان رو دهیم ** که نواله پیش بی‌برگان نهیم
We confer this eminence on the earth for the same reason that We place a portion of food before the destitute,
زانک دارد خاک شکل اغبری ** وز درون دارد صفات انوری
Because the earth has the external form of dunness, while inwardly it has the qualities of luminosity.
ظاهرش با باطنش گشته به جنگ ** باطنش چون گوهر و ظاهر چو سنگ
Its outward (appearance) has come to be at war with its inward (reality): its inward is like a jewel and its outward like a (common) stone.
ظاهرش گوید که ما اینیم و بس ** باطنش گوید نکو بین پیش و پس
Its outward says, ‘We are this, and no more’; its inward says, ‘Look well before and behind!’
ظاهرش منکر که باطن هیچ نیست ** باطنش گوید که بنماییم بیست1010
Its outward is denying (and says) that the inward is naught; its inward says, ‘We will show (thee the truth): wait (and see)!’
ظاهرش با باطنش در چالش‌اند ** لاجرم زین صبر نصرت می‌کشند
Its outward and its inward are in strife: necessarily they are drawing (Divine) aid from this patient endurance.
زین ترش‌رو خاک صورتها کنیم ** خنده‌ی پنهانش را پیدا کنیم
We make the forms (of existence) from this sour-faced earth: We make manifest its hidden laughter,
زانک ظاهر خاک اندوه و بکاست ** در درونش صد هزاران خنده‌هاست
For (though) outwardly the earth is (all) sorrow and tears, within it there are hundreds of thousands of laughters.
کاشف السریم و کار ما همین ** کین نهانها را بر آریم از کمین
We are the Revealer of the mystery, and Our work is just this, that We bring forth these hidden things from concealment.
گرچه دزد از منکری تن می‌زند ** شحنه آن از عصر پیدا می‌کند1015
Although the thief is mute in denial (of his theft), the magistrate brings it to light by torture.
فضلها دزدیده‌اند این خاکها ** تا مقر آریمشان از ابتلا
These (diverse) earths have stolen (Our) favours, so that through affliction We may bring them to confess.
بس عجب فرزند کو را بوده است ** لیک احمد بر همه افزوده است
Many is the wondrous child that it (the earth) hath had, but Ahmad (Mohammed) hath surpassed them all.
شد زمین و آسمان خندان و شاد ** کین چنین شاهی ز ما دو جفت زاد
Earth and Heaven laugh and rejoice, saying, ‘From us two (who are) joined in wedlock such a king is born!’
می‌شکافد آسمان از شادیش ** خاک چون سوسن شده ز آزادیش
Heaven is bursting for joy of him; earth is become like the lily on account of his purity.
ظاهرت با باطنت ای خاک خوش ** چونک در جنگ‌اند و اندر کش‌مکش1020
Since thy outward and thy inward, O fair earth, are at war and (engaged) in struggling (with each other)—
هر که با خود بهر حق باشد به جنگ ** تا شود معنیش خصم بو و رنگ
Whoso is at war with himself for God's sake, to the end that his (inward) reality may become the opponent of (mere) scent and colour,
ظلمتش با نور او شد در قتال ** آفتاب جانش را نبود زوال
(If) his darkness is in combat with his light, the sun of his spirit will never set.
هر که کوشد بهر ما در امتحان ** پشت زیر پایش آرد آسمان
Whoso shall strive in tribulation for Our sake, Heaven will put its back under (will support) his feet.”
ظاهرت از تیرگی افغان کنان ** باطن تو گلستان در گلستان
Your outward (form) is wailing because of the darkness; your inward (spirit) is (like) roses within roses.
قاصد او چون صوفیان روترش ** تا نیامیزند با هر نورکش1025
It (your outward form) is purposely like Súfís (who are) sour-faced (sad and mournful) in order that they may not mix with every one that quenches the (inner) light.
عارفان روترش چون خارپشت ** عیش پنهان کرده در خار درشت
Like the hedgehog, the sour-faced knowers (of God) have hidden their (spiritual) pleasures in rough prickles (of austerity).
باغ پنهان گرد باغ آن خار فاش ** کای عدوی دزد زین در دور باش
The orchard is hidden, (while) around the orchard those thorns are plainly seen, saying, “O thievish foe, keep far from this gate!”
خارپشتا خار حارس کرده‌ای ** سر چو صوفی در گریبان برده‌ای
O hedgehog, you have made the prickles your guardian and, like a Súfí, have buried your head in your bosom,
تا کسی دوچار دانگ عیش تو ** کم شود زین گلرخان خارخو
That none of these rose-cheeked thorn-natured ones may encounter (become acquainted with) a farthing (the least part) of your pleasure.
طفل تو گرچه که کودک‌خو بدست ** هر دو عالم خود طفیل او بدست1030
“Though thy infant (Mohammed) is childish, verily both the worlds are his parasites (attendants).