ما کجا بودیم کان دیان دین ** عقل می‌کارید اندر آب و طین
Where were we when the Judge of Judgement (Day) was sowing reason in the water and clay (of Adam)?—
چون همی کرد از عدم گردون پدید ** وین بساط خاک را می‌گسترید 3135
Since (’twas for us that) He was producing the sky from non-existence and spreading this carpet of earth,
ز اختران می‌ساخت او مصباح‌ها ** وز طبایع قفل با مفتاح‌ها
And making lamps of the stars, and of the (four) natural properties a lock together with the keys (to open it).
ای بسا بنیادها پنهان و فاش ** مضمر این سقف کرد و این فراش
Oh, how many structures hidden (from sight) and plain to see has He enclosed in this roof (heaven) and this carpet (earth)!
آدم اصطرلاب اوصاف علوست ** وصف آدم مظهر آیات اوست
Adam is the astrolabe of the attributes of (Divine) Sublimity: the nature of Adam is the theatre for His revelations.
هرچه در وی می‌نماید عکس اوست ** هم‌چو عکس ماه اندر آب جوست
Whatever appears in him (Adam) is the reflexion of Him, just as the moon is reflected in the water of the river.
بر صطرلابش نقوش عنکبوت ** بهر اوصاف ازل دارد ثبوت 3140
The figures (cut) on the “spider” (uppermost tablet) on his astrolabe are there for the sake of (typifying) the Eternal Attributes,
تا ز چرخ غیب وز خورشید روح ** عنکبوتش درس گوید از شروح
In order that its “spider” may give lessons in exposition of the sky of the Unseen and the sun of the Spirit.
عنکبوت و این صطرلاب رشاد ** بی‌منجم در کف عام اوفتاد
Without a (spiritual) astronomer (to explain their significance), the “spider” and this astrolabe which guides aright fall (uselessly) into the hands of the vulgar.
انبیا را داد حق تنجیم این ** غیب را چشمی بباید غیب‌بین
God bestowed (knowledge of) this (spiritual) astronomy on the prophets: for (the mysteries of) the Unseen an eye that observes the Unseen is necessary.
در چه دنیا فتادند این قرون ** عکس خود را دید هر یک چه درون
These (worldly) generations fell into the well of the present world: every one saw in the well his own reflexion.
از برون دان آنچ در چاهت نمود ** ورنه آن شیری که در چه شد فرود 3145
Know that what appears to you in the well is (really) from outside; else you are (like) the lion that plunged into the well (and was drowned).
برد خرگوشیش از ره کای فلان ** در تگ چاهست آن شیر ژیان
A hare led him astray, saying, “O such-and-such, this furious lion (thy rival) is at the bottom of the well.
در رو اندر چاه کین از وی بکش ** چون ازو غالب‌تری سر بر کنش
Go into the well and wreak vengeance on him: tear off his head, since thou art mightier than he.”
آن مقلد سخره‌ی خرگوش شد ** از خیال خویشتن پر جوش شد
That (blind) follower of authority was subjugated by the hare: he was filled with boiling (fury) by his own fancy.
او نگفت این نقش داد آب نیست ** این به جز تقلیب آن قلاب نیست
He did not say, “This image is not produced by the water: this is not (produced) by anything except the changing activity of the (Divine) Changer.”
تو هم از دشمن چو کینی می‌کشی ** ای زبون شش غلط در هر ششی 3150
So when you, O slave to the six (directions), wreak vengeance on your enemy you are in error concerning all the six.
آن عداوت اندرو عکس حقست ** کز صفات قهر آنجا مشتقست
That enmity in him (your enemy) is reflected from God, for it is derived from the (Divine) attributes of Wrath (which are manifested) there;
وآن گنه در وی ز جنس جرم تست ** باید آن خو را ز طبع خویش شست
And that sin in him is homogeneous with your sin: you must wash that (evil) disposition out of your own nature.
خلق زشتت اندرو رویت نمود ** که ترا او صفحه‌ی آیینه بود
Your evil character showed itself to you in him because he was (like) the surface of a mirror to you.
چونک قبح خویش دیدی ای حسن ** اندر آیینه بر آیینه مزن
When you have seen your ugliness in the mirror, O Hasan, do not strike (a blow) at the mirror!
می‌زند بر آب استاره‌ی سنی ** خاک تو بر عکس اختر می‌زنی 3155
A lofty star is reflected in the water, and you cast earth on the star's reflexion,
کین ستاره‌ی نحس در آب آمدست ** تا کند او سعد ما را زیردست
Saying, “This unlucky star has come into the water to overthrow my good luck.”