هین حکایت کن از آن احوال خوش ** خاک بر احوال و درس پنج و شش
Hark, tell the story of those goodly ‘states’- dust (be thrown) upon the ‘states’ and lessons of the five (elements) and the six (directions)!”
حال باطن گر نمی‌آید بگفت ** حال ظاهر گویمت در طاق وجفت
If the inward “state” is not to be told, (yet) I will tell thee the outward “state” in a word or two,
که ز لطف یار تلخیهای مات ** گشت بر جان خوشتر از شکرنبات
(Namely), that by grace of the Beloved the bitternesses of death were made sweeter than sugar-cane to the soul.
زان نبات ار گرد در دریا رود ** تلخی دریا همه شیرین شود 3640
If the dust from that sugar-cane should enter the sea, all the bitterness of the sea would become sweet.
صدهزار احوال آمد هم‌چنین ** باز سوی غیب رفتند ای امین
Even so a hundred thousand “states” came (hither) and went back to the Unseen, O trusted one.
حال هر روزی بدی مانند نی ** هم‌چو جو اندر روش کش بند نی
Each day’s “state” is not like (that of) the day before: (they are passing) as a rive that hath no obstacle in its course.
شادی هر روز از نوعی دگر ** فکرت هر روز را دیگر اثر
Each day’s joy is of a different kind, each day’s thought makes a different impression.
تمثیل تن آدمی به مهمان‌خانه و اندیشه‌های مختلف به مهمانان مختلف عارف در رضا بدان اندیشه‌های غم و شادی چون شخص مهمان‌دوست غریب‌نواز خلیل‌وار کی در خلیل باکرام ضیف پیوسته باز بود بر کافر و مومن و امین و خاین و با همه مهمانان روی تازه داشتی
Comparison of the human body to a guest-house and of the diverse thoughts to the diverse guests. The gnostic, acquiescing in those thoughts of sorrow or joy, resembles a hospitable person who treats strangers with kindness., like Khalíl (Abraham); for Khalíl’s door was always open to receive his guest with honour— infidel and true believer and trusty and treacherous alike; and he would show a cheerful face to all his guests.
هست مهمان‌خانه این تن ای جوان ** هر صباحی ضیف نو آید دوان
This body, O youth, is a guest house: every morning a new guest comes running (into it).
هین مگو کین مانند اندر گردنم ** که هم اکنون باز پرد در عدم 3645
Beware, do not say, “This (guest) is a burden to me,” for presently he will fly back into non-existence.
هرچه آید از جهان غیب‌وش ** در دلت ضیفست او را دار خوش
Whatsoever comes into thy heart from the invisible world is they guest: entertain it well!
حکایت آن مهمان کی زن خداوند خانه گفت کی باران فرو گرفت و مهمان در گردن ما ماند
Story of the guest concerning whom the wife of the master of the house said, “The rain has set in, and our guest is left on our hands.”
آن یکی را بیگهان آمد قنق ** ساخت او را هم‌چو طوق اندر عنق
A guest came to a certain man at a late hour: he (the master of the house) made him (at home) like a collar on the neck.
خوان کشید او را کرامتها نمود ** آن شب اندر کوی ایشان سور بود
He brought trays of food and showed him every courtesy; on that night there was a feast in their parish.
مرد زن را گفت پنهانی سخن ** که امشب ای خاتون دو جامه خواب کن
The man spoke secretly to his wife, saying, “To-night, mistress, make two beds.”
پستر ما را بگستر سوی در ** بهر مهمان گستر آن سوی دگر 3650
Lay our bed towards the door, and lay a bed on the other side for the guest.”
گفت زن خدمت کنم شادی کنم ** سمع و طاعه ای دو چشم روشنم
The wife replied, “I will do (this) service, I shall be glad (to do it). To hear is to obey, O light of mine eyes!”
هر دو پستر گسترید و رفت زن ** سوی ختنه‌سور کرد آنجا وطن
The wife laid both the beds and (then) went off to the circumcision feast and stayed there (a long time).
ماند مهمان عزیز و شوهرش ** نقل بنهادند از خشک و ترش
The worthy guest and her husband remained (in the house): the host set before him a dessert of fruit and wine.
در سمر گفتند هر دو منتجب ** سرگذشت نیک و بد تا نیم شب
Both the excellent men related (to each other) their good and bad experiences (and sat) chatting till midnight.
بعد از آن مهمان ز خواب و از سمر ** شد در آن پستر که بد آن سوی در 3655
Afterwards the guest, being sleepy and tired of talking, went to the bed that was on the opposite side to the door.
شوهر از خجلت بدو چیزی نگفت ** که ترا این سوست ای جان جای خفت
From (a feeling of) shame (delicacy) the husband did not tell him anything or say, “My dear friend, your bed is on this side;
که برای خواب تو ای بوالکرم ** پستر آن سوی دگر افکنده‌ام
I have had the bed for you to sleep in laid over there, most noble sir.”
آن قراری که به زن او داده بود ** گشت مبدل و آن طرف مهمان غنود
(So) the arrangement which he had made with his wife was altered, and the guest lay down on the other side (of the room).
آن شب آنجا سخت باران در گرفت ** کز غلیظی ابرشان آمد شگفت
During the night it began to rain violently in that place, (and continued so long) that they were astonished at the thickness of the clouds.
زن بیامد بر گمان آنک شو ** سوی در خفتست و آن سو آن عمو 3660
(When) the wife came (home), she thought her husband was sleeping towards the door, and the uncle on the other side.
رفت عریان در لحاف آن دم عروس ** داد مهمان را به رغبت چند بوس
The wife immediately undressed and went to bed and kissed the guest fondly several times.