سوی آن اومید کردم روی خویش ** که وجودم داده‌ای از پیش بیش
I turn my face towards that hope, for Thou hast given me existence older than of old.
خلعت هستی بدادی رایگان ** من همیشه معتمد بودم بر آن
Thou gavest (me) existence, free of cost, as a robe of honour: I have always relied upon that (generosity).”
چون شمارد جرم خود را و خطا ** محض بخشایش در آید در عطا
When he recounts his sins and trespasses, the Pure Bounty begins to show munificence,
کای ملایک باز آریدش به ما ** که بدستش چشم دل سوی رجا 1845
Saying, “O angels, bring him back to Us, for his inward eye has (ever) been (turned) towards hope.
لاابالی وار آزادش کنیم ** وآن خطاها را همه خط بر زنیم
Like one who recks of naught, We will set him free and cancel all his trespasses.
لا ابالی مر کسی را شد مباح ** کش زیان نبود ز غدر و از صلاح
(To say) ‘I reck not’ is permitted to that One (alone) who loses nothing by perfidy and (gains nothing) by probity.
آتشی خوش بر فروزیم از کرم ** تا نماند جرم و زلت بیش و کم
We will kindle up a goodly fire of grace, in order that no sin and fault, great or small, may endure—
آتشی کز شعله‌اش کمتر شرار ** می‌بسوزد جرم و جبر و اختیار
Such a fire that the least spark of the flame thereof is consuming (all) sin and necessity and free-will.
شعله در بنگاه انسانی زنیم ** خار را گلزار روحانی کنیم 1850
We will set fire to the tenement of Man and make the thorns (in it) a spiritual garden of roses.
ما فرستادیم از چرخ نهم ** کیمیا یصلح لکم اعمالکم
We have sent from the Ninth Sphere (the highest Heaven) the elixir (namely), He will rectify for you your actions.”
خود چه باشد پیش نور مستقر ** کر و فر اختیار بوالبشر
What in sooth is Adam's (Man's) sovereignty and power of choice beside the Light of the Everlasting Abode?
گوشت‌پاره آلت گویای او ** پیه‌پاره منظر بینای او
His speaking organ is a piece of flesh; the seat of his vision is a piece of fat;
مسمع او آن دو پاره استخوان ** مدرکش دو قطره خون یعنی جنان
The seat of his hearing consists of two pieces of bone; the seat of his (intellectual) perception is two drops of blood, that is to say, the heart.
کرمکی و از قذر آکنده‌ای ** طمطراقی در جهان افکنده‌ای 1855
Thou art a little worm and art stuffed with filth; (yet) thou hast made a (great) display of pomp in the world.
از منی بودی منی را واگذار ** ای ایاز آن پوستین را یاد دار
Thou wert (originally composed) of seed: relinquish egoism! O Ayáz, keep in mind that sheepskin jacket!
قصه‌ی ایاز و حجره داشتن او جهت چارق و پوستین و گمان آمدن خواجه تاشانس را کی او را در آن حجره دفینه است به سبب محکمی در و گرانی قفل
The Story of Ayáz and his having a chamber for his rustic shoon and sheepskin jacket; and how his fellow-servants thought he had a buried treasure in that room, because the door was so strong and the lock so heavy.
آن ایاز از زیرکی انگیخته ** پوستین و چارقش آویخته
Impelled by sagacity, Ayáz hung up his sheepskin jacket and rustic shoon.
می‌رود هر روز در حجره‌ی خلا ** چارقت اینست منگر درعلا
Every day he would go into the private chamber, (saying to himself), “These are thy shoon: do not regard thy (present) eminence.”
شاه را گفتند او را حجره‌ایست ** اندر آنجا زر و سیم و خمره‌ایست
They (his rivals) said to the King (Mahmúd), “He has a chamber, and in it there is gold and silver and a jar (of treasure).
راه می‌ندهد کسی را اندرو ** بسته می‌دارد همیشه آن در او 1860
He admits no one into it: he always keeps the door locked.”
شاه فرمود ای عجب آن بنده را ** چیست خود پنهان و پوشیده ز ما
The King said, “Oh, I wonder what in sooth that servant (of mine) has that is hidden and concealed from me.”
پس اشارت کرد میری را که رو ** نیم‌شب بگشای و اندر حجره شو
Then he gave orders to a certain Amír, saying, “Go at midnight and open (the door) and enter the room.
هر چه یابی مر ترا یغماش کن ** سر او را بر ندیمان فاش کن
Whatever you find is yours: plunder him, expose his secret to the courtiers.
با چنین اکرام و لطف بی‌عدد ** از لیمی سیم و زر پنهان کند
Notwithstanding such innumerable kindnesses and favours (as I have bestowed upon him), does he meanly hide silver and gold (from me)?
می‌نماید او وفا و عشق و جوش ** وانگه او گندم‌نمای جوفروش 1865
He professes loyalty and love and enthusiasm—and then (after all) he is one who shows wheat and sells barley!
هر که اندر عشق یابد زندگی ** کفر باشد پیش او جز بندگی
To any one who finds life in love, aught but (devoted) service would seem infidelity.”