زاده‌ی ثانیست احمد در جهان ** صد قیامت بود او اندر عیان
Ahmad (Mohammed) is the twice-born in this world: he was manifestly a hundred resurrections.
زو قیامت را همی‌پرسیده‌اند ** ای قیامت تا قیامت راه چند
They asked him concerning the Resurrection, saying, “O (thou who art the) Resurrection, how long is the way to the Resurrection?”
با زبان حال می‌گفتی بسی ** که ز محشر حشر را پرسید کسی
And often he would say with mute eloquence, “Does any one ask (me who am) the Resurrection concerning the Resurrection?”
بهر این گفت آن رسول خوش‌پیام ** رمز موتوا قبل موت یا کرام
Hence the Messenger of good tidings said, (speaking) symbolically, “Die before ye die, O nobles,
هم‌چنانک مرده‌ام من قبل موت ** زان طرف آورده‌ام این صیت و صوت 755
Even as I have died before death and brought from Yonder this fame and renown.”
پس قیامت شو قیامت را ببین ** دیدن هر چیز را شرطست این
Do thou, then, become the (spiritual) resurrection and (thereby) see (experience) the resurrection: this (becoming) is the necessary condition for seeing (knowing and experiencing the real nature of) anything.
تا نگردی او ندانی‌اش تمام ** خواه آن انوار باشد یا ظلام
Until thou become it, thou wilt not know it completely, whether it be light or darkness.
عقل گردی عقل را دانی کمال ** عشق گردی عشق را دانی ذبال
(If) thou become Reason, thou wilt know Reason perfectly; if thou become Love, thou wilt know Love's (flaming) wick.
گفتمی برهان این دعوی مبین ** گر بدی ادراک اندر خورد این
I would declare plainly the proof of this assertion, if there were an understanding fit to receive it.
هست انجیر این طرف بسیار و خوار ** گر رسد مرغی قنق انجیرخوار 760
Figs are very cheap in this vicinity, if a fig-eating bird should arrive as a guest.
در همه عالم اگر مرد و زنند ** دم به دم در نزع و اندر مردنند
(All), whether men or women, in the whole world are continually in the death-agony and are dying.
آن سخنشان را وصیتها شمر ** که پدر گوید در آن دم با پسر
Regard their words as the (final) injunctions which a father gives at that moment to his son,
تا بروید عبرت و رحمت بدین ** تا ببرد بیخ بغض و رشک و کین
That thereby consideration and pity may grow (in thy heart), so that the root of hatred and jealousy and enmity may be cut off.
تو بدان نیت نگر در اقربا ** تا ز نزع او بسوزد دل ترا
Look on thy kinsman with that intention, so that thy heart may burn (with pity) for his death-agony.
کل آت آت آن را نقد دان ** دوست را در نزع و اندر فقد دان 765
“Everything that is coming will come”: deem it (to have come) here and now, deem thy friend to be in the death-agony and in the act of losing (his life).
وز غرضها زین نظر گردد حجاب ** این غرضها را برون افکن ز جیب
And if (selfish) motives debar (thee) from this insight, cast these motives out of thy bosom;
ور نیاری خشک بر عجزی مه‌ایست ** دانک با عاجز گزیده معجزیست
And if thou canst not (cast them out), do not stand inertly in a state of incapacity: know that with (every) incapable there is a goodly Incapacitator.
عجز زنجیریست زنجیرت نهاد ** چشم در زنجیرنه باید گشاد
Incapacity is a chain: He laid it upon thee: thou must open thine eye to (behold) Him who lays the chain.
پس تضرع کن کای هادی زیست ** باز بودم بسته گشتم این ز چیست
Therefore make humble entreaty, saying, “O Guide (in the ways) of life, I was free, (and now) I have fallen into bondage: what is the cause of this?
سخت‌تر افشرده‌ام در شر قدم ** که لفی خسرم ز قهرت دم به دم 770
I have planted my foot in evil more firmly (than ever), for through Thy omnipotence verily I am (engaged) in a losing business all the time.
از نصیحتهای تو کر بوده‌ام ** بت‌شکن دعوی و بت‌گر بوده‌ام
I have been deaf to Thy admonitions: while professing to be an idol-breaker, I have (really) been an idol-maker.
یاد صنعت فرض‌تر یا یاد مرگ ** مرگ مانند خزان تو اصل برگ
Is it more incumbent (on me) to think of Thy works or of death? (Of death): death is like autumn, and Thou art (the root which is) the origin of the leaves.”
سالها این مرگ طبلک می‌زند ** گوش تو بیگاه جنبش می‌کند
For years this death has been beating the drum, (but only when it is) too late is your ear moved (to listen).
گوید اندر نزع از جان آه مرگ ** این زمان کردت ز خود آگاه مرگ
In his agony he (the heedless man) cries from his (inmost) soul, “Alas, I am dying!” Has Death made you aware of himself (only) now?
این گلوی مرگ از نعره گرفت ** طبل او بشکافت از ضرب شگفت 775
Death's throat is exhausted with shouting: his drum is split with the astounding blows (with which it has been beaten).