تا سحر جمله شب آن شاه علی ** خود همی‌گوید الستی و بلی 2300
The whole night until dawn that exalted King is Himself uttering an ‘Alast’ (‘Am not I...?’) and (answering) ‘Yea.’
کو بلی‌گو جمله را سیلاب برد ** یا نهنگی خورد کل را کرد و مرد
Where is anyone to say’ Yea’? The flood of (slumber) has swept them all away, or a leviathan has swallowed them all piecemeal.
صبح‌دم چون تیغ گوهردار خود ** از نیام ظلمت شب بر کند
At morning tide, when He draws His sheeny sword from the scabbard of the darkness of night,
آفتاب شرق شب را طی کند ** از نهنگ آن خورده‌ها را قی کند
And the orient sun rolls up (makes an end of) night, this leviathan spews out all that it swallowed,
رسته چون یونس ز معده‌ی آن نهنگ ** منتشر گردیم اندر بو و رنگ
And we, delivered like Jonah from the belly of that leviathan, are dispersed into (the world of) scent and colour.
خلق چون یونس مسبح آمدند ** کاندر آن ظلمات پر راحت شدند 2305
Like Jonah, the people give praise (to God), because they were restful in that darkness.
هر یکی گوید به هنگام سحر ** چون ز بطن حوت شب آید به در
At the hour of dawn each one says, when he comes forth from the belly of the (great) Fish, Night,
کای کریمی که در آن لیل وحش ** گنج رحمت بنهی و چندین چشش
‘O Gracious One who dost deposit in lonesome (fearful) Night the treasure of Mercy and all these delicious experiences!
چشم تیز و گوش تازه تن سبک ** از شب هم‌چون نهنگ ذوالحبک
By means of Night, which resembles the scaly leviathan, the eve (is made) keen, the ear fresh, and the body nimble.
از مقامات وحش‌رو زین سپس ** هیچ نگریزیم ما با چون تو کس
Henceforth, with One like Thee (beside us), we will never flee from positions of fearful aspect.
موسی آن را نار دید و نور بود ** زنگیی دیدیم شب را حور بود 2310
Moses deemed that (which he saw) to be fire, but it was (really) light: we regarded Night as a (hideous) negro, but it was (really) a houri.
بعد ازین ما دیده خواهیم از تو بس ** تا نپوشد بحر را خاشاک و خس
After this, we beg of Thee (only) the eye (that sees truly), in order that sticks and straws may not conceal the Sea (from us).’
ساحران را چشم چون رست از عمی ** کف‌زنان بودند بی‌این دست و پا
When the eyes of (Pharaoh’s) magicians were delivered from blindness, they were clapping their hands (joyfully), (though) deprived of these (bodily) hands and feet.
چشم‌بند خلق جز اسباب نیست ** هر که لرزد بر سبب ز اصحاب نیست
What bandages the people’s eyes is nothing but means (secondary causes): whoever trembles (in anxiety) for (the loss of) means is not one of the Comrades.
لیک حق اصحابنا اصحاب را ** در گشاد و برد تا صدر سرا
But, O my comrades, God has opened the door to the Comrades and led them to the high-seat in the palace.
با کفش نامستحق و مستحق ** معتقان رحمت‌اند از بند رق 2315
Through His hand the unworthy and the worthy are freed by Mercy from the bonds of servitude.
در عدم ما مستحقان کی بدیم ** که برین جان و برین دانش زدیم
During (our) non-existence how were we worthy to attain to this spirituality and knowledge?
ای بکرده یار هر اغیار را ** وی بداده خلعت گل خار را
O Thou who hast made every stranger (Thy) friend, and O Thou who hast given the rose as a robe of honour to the thorn,
خاک ما را ثانیا پالیز کن ** هیچ نی را بار دیگر چیز کن
Sift our dust a second time, make (our) nothing to be some thing once more!
این دعا تو امر کردی ز ابتدا ** ورنه خاکی را چه زهره‌ی این بدی
Thou didst command this invocation (of Thee) from the beginning; else how should a creature of dust have dared (to do) this?
چون دعامان امر کردی ای عجاب ** این دعای خویش را کن مستجاب 2320
Since—oh, wonder !—Thou didst command us to invoke Thee, cause this invocation of Thee to be answered favourably.
شب شکسته کشتی فهم و حواس ** نه امیدی مانده نه خوف و نه یاس
Night has wrecked the ship of (my) understanding and senses: no hope is left, nor fear nor despair.
برده در دریای رحمت ایزدم ** تا ز چه فن پر کند بفرستدم
God has borne me into the sea of Mercy: (I know not) with what specialty He will fill me and send me (back to the world).
آن یکی را کرده پر نور جلال ** وآن دگر را کرده پر وهم و خیال
He fills one with the light of Majesty, while He fills another with (vain) imagination and fancy.
گر بخویشم هیچ رای و فن بدی ** رای و تدبیرم به حکم من بدی
If I had any judgement and skill by myself, my judgement and forethought would be under my control;