چشم خود بگذاشت و چشم او گزید ** هوش خود بگذاشت و قول او شنید
He abandoned his own eye and preferred his (the ‘Imádu ’l-Mulk's) eye: he abandoned his own intelligence and hearkened to his (the other's) words.
این بهانه بود و آن دیان فرد ** از نیاز آن در دل شه سرد کرد
This (speech of the ‘Imádu ’l-Mulk) was (only) the pretext, and (in reality) at (his) entreaty the unique Judge caused it (the horse) to be cold (despicable) in the king's heart.
در ببست از حسن او پیش بصر ** آن سخن بد در میان چون بانگ در
He (God) shut the door on its beauty (made its beauty invisible) to the eye (of the king): those words (of the ‘Imádu ’l-Mulk) intervened (between the king's eye and the horse) like the sound of the door.
پرده کرد آن نکته را بر چشم شه ** که از آن پرده نماید مه سیه 3480
He (God) made that cryptic saying a veil over the king's eye, a veil through which the moon appears to be black.
پاک بنایی که بر سازد حصون ** در جهان غیب از گفت و فسون
Pure (transcendent) is the Builder who in the unseen world constructs castles of speech and beguiling talk.
بانگ در دان گفت را از قصر راز ** تا که بانگ وا شدست این یا فراز
Know that speech is the sound of the door (coming) from the palace of mystery: consider whether it is the sound of opening or shutting.
بانگ در محسوس و در از حس برون ** تبصرون این بانگ و در لا تبصرون
The sound of the door is perceptible, but the door (itself) is beyond perception: ye see (are aware of) this sound, but the door ye see not.
چنگ حکمت چونک خوش‌آواز شد ** تا چه در از روض جنت باز شد
When the harp of wisdom breaks into melody, (bethink yourself) what door of the Garden of Paradise has been opened.
بانگ گفت بد چو دروا می‌شود ** از سقر تا خود چه در وا می‌شود 3485
When the sound of evil speech becomes loud, (bethink yourself) what door of Hell is being opened.
بانگ در بشنو چو دوری از درش ** ای خنک او را که وا شد منظرش
Since you are far from its door, hearken to the sound of the door: oh, blest is he whose eye has been opened (so that he can recognise the wicked).
چون تو می‌بینی که نیکی می‌کنی ** بر حیات و راحتی بر می‌زنی
When you are aware of doing a good action, you obtain a (feeling of spiritual) life and joy;
چونک تقصیر و فسادی می‌رود ** آن حیات و ذوق پنهان می‌شود
And when a fault and evil deed issues (from you), that (feeling of) life and rapture disappears.
دید خود مگذار از دید خسان ** که به مردارت کشند این کرکسان
Do not abandon your own eye (judgement) from regard for the vile, for these vultures will lead you to the carcase.
چشم چون نرگس فروبندی که چی ** هین عصاام کش که کورم ای اچی 3490
You close your narcissus-like eye, saying, “What (is it)? Hey, sir, take my stick (and show me the way), for I am blind”;
وان عصاکش که گزیدی در سفر ** خود ببینی باشد از تو کورتر
But if you would only look, (you would see that) the guide whom you have chosen for the journey is (even) blinder than you.
دست کورانه به حبل الله زن ** جز بر امر و نهی یزدانی متن
Grasp in a blind man's fashion the rope of Allah: do not cling to aught but the Divine commandments and prohibitions.
چیست حبل‌الله رها کردن هوا ** کین هوا شد صرصری مر عاد را
What is the rope of Allah? To renounce self-will, for this self-will was a roaring wind (of destruction) to (the people of) ‘Ád.
خلق در زندان نشسته از هواست ** مرغ را پرها ببسته از هواست
’Tis from self-will that folk are sitting in gaol, ’tis from self-will that the (trapped) bird's wings are tied.
ماهی اندر تابه‌ی گرم از هواست ** رفته از مستوریان شرم از هواست 3495
’Tis from self-will that the fish is (cooked) in a hot pan, ’tis from self-will that shame (bashfulness) is gone from the modest.
خشم شحنه شعله‌ی نار از هواست ** چارمیخ و هیبت دار از هواست
The anger of the police magistrate is a fiery spark from self-will; crucifixion and the awfulness of the gallows are (the consequence) of self-will.
شحنه‌ی اجسام دیدی بر زمین ** شحنه‌ی احکام جان را هم ببین
You have seen the magistrate (who carries out the punishment) of bodies on the earth: (now) see also the magistrate who executes judgements against the soul.
روح را در غیب خود اشکنجه‌هاست ** لیک تا نجهی شکنجه در خفاست
Verily tortures are inflicted on the soul in the world invisible, but until you escape (from self-will) the torture is concealed (from view).
چون رهیدی بینی اشکنجه و دمار ** زانک ضد از ضد گردد آشکار
When you are freed you will behold the torture and perdition (of the soul), because contrary is made manifest by contrary.
آنک در چه زاد و در آب سیاه ** او چه داند لطف دشت و رنج چاه 3500
He that was born in the well (of the material world) and the black water, how should he know the pleasantness of the open country and (distinguish it from) the pain of (being in) the well?
چون رها کردی هوا از بیم حق ** در رسد سغراق از تسنیم حق
When, from fear of God, you have relinquished self-will, the goblet (of drink) from God's Tasním will arrive.