اندر احمد آن حسی کو غاربست ** خفته این دم زیر خاک یثربست
The (corporeal) senses in Ahmad (Mohammed), which are mortal, are now laid asleep under the soil of Yathrib (Medina),
وآن عظیم الخلق او کان صفدرست ** بی‌تغیر مقعد صدق اندرست
But that mighty-natured part of him, which is unconquerable, dwells, without having suffered corruption, within the abode of truth (in Paradise).
جای تغییرات اوصاف تنست ** روح باقی آفتابی روشنست
The bodily attributes are exposed to corruption; the everlasting spirit is a shining sun,
بی ز تغییری که لا شرقیة ** بی ز تبدیلی که لا غربیة
Incorruptible, for it is not of the east; unchangeable, for it is not of the west.
آفتاب از ذره کی مدهوش شد ** شمع از پروانه کی بیهوش شد3790
How was the sun (ever) dumbfounded by a mote? How was the candle (ever) made senseless by a moth?
جسم احمد را تعلق بد بدآن ** این تغیر آن تن باشد بدان
The body of Ahmad was liable to that (corruption): know that this corruption belongs (only) to the body,
هم‌چو رنجوری و هم‌چون خواب و درد ** جان ازین اوصاف باشد پاک و فرد
Such as sickness and sleep and pain; the spirit is untouched by these affections and wholly detached (from them).
خود نتانم ور بگويم وصف جان ** زلزله افتد در اين كون و مكان
Indeed I cannot describe the spirit, and if I describe it, quaking would fall upon this (world of) phenomenal existence and spatiality.
روبهش گر یک دمی آشفته بود ** شیر جان مانا که آن دم خفته بود
If its fox (the body) was perturbed for a moment, belike the lion-spirit was then asleep.
خفته بود آن شیر کز خوابست پاک ** اینت شیر نرمسار سهمناک3795
That lion which is immune from sleep was (apparently) asleep: lo, a complaisant terrible lion!
خفته سازد شیر خود را آنچنان ** که تمامش مرده دانند این سگان
The lion feigns to be asleep so (well) that those curs think he is quite dead;
ورنه در عالم کرا زهره بدی ** که ربودی از ضعیفی تربدی
Else, who in the world would dare to rob a poor man (even) of a grain of turpeth mineral?
کف احمد زان نظر مخدوش گشت ** بحر او از مهر کف پرجوش گشت
The foam (body) of Ahmad was torn (powerfully affected) by that sight (of Gabriel), (but) his sea (spirit) surged up (displayed itself in action) for love of the foam.
مه همه کفست معطی نورپاش ** ماه را گر کف نباشد گو مباش
The moon (the spirit of Ahmad) is entirely a bounteous light-diffusing hand: if the moon have no hand (with which to bestow light), let it have none!
احمد ار بگشاید آن پر جلیل ** تا ابد بیهوش ماند جبرئیل3800
If Ahmad should display that glorious pinion (his spiritual nature), Gabriel would remain dumbfounded unto everlasting.
چون گذشت احمد ز سدره و مرصدش ** وز مقام جبرئیل و از حدش
When Ahmad passed beyond the Lote-tree (on the boundary of Paradise) and his (Gabriel's) place of watch and station and farthest limit,
گفت او را هین بپر اندر پیم ** گفت رو رو من حریف تو نیم
He said to him (Gabriel), “Hark, fly after me.” He (Gabriel) said, “Go, go; I am not thy companion (any farther).”
باز گفت او را بیا ای پرده‌سوز ** من باوج خود نرفتستم هنوز
He answered him, saying, “Come, O destroyer of veils: I have not yet advanced to my zenith.”
گفت بیرون زین حد ای خوش‌فر من ** گر زنم پری بسوزد پر من
He replied, “O my illustrious friend, if I take one flight beyond this limit, my wings will be consumed.”
حیرت اندر حیرت آمد این قصص ** بیهشی خاصگان اندر اخص3805
This tale of the elect losing their senses in (contemplation of) the most elect is (naught but) amazement on amazement.
بیهشیها جمله اینجا بازیست ** چند جان داری که جان پردازیست
Here all (other) unconsciousnesses are (a mere) play. How long will you keep possession of your soul? for it is (a case of) abandoning your soul.
جبرئیلا گر شریفی و عزیز ** تو نه‌ای پروانه و نه شمع نیز
O “Gabriel,” though you are noble and revered, you are not the moth nor the candle either.
شمع چون دعوت کند وقت فروز ** جان پروانه نپرهیزد ز سوز
When the candle calls at the moment of illumination, the soul of the moth does not shrink from burning.
این حدیث منقلب را گور کن ** شیر را برعکس صید گور کن
Bury this topsy-turvy discourse: make the lion contrariously the prey of the onager.