چون که حکم اندر کف رندان بود ** لاجرم ذو النون در زندان بود
When authority is in the hands of profligates, (a) Dhu ’l-Nún is inevitably in prison.
یک سواره میرود شاه عظیم ** در کف طفلان چنین در یتیم
The great king rides alone! Such a unique pearl in the hands of children!
در چه دریا نهان در قطرهای ** آفتابی مخفی اندر ذرهای1395
What pearl? (Nay), the Sea hidden in a drop, a Sun concealed in a mote.
آفتابی خویش را ذره نمود ** و اندک اندک روی خود را بر گشود
A Sun showed itself as a mote, and little by little uncovered its face.
جملهی ذرات در وی محو شد ** عالم از وی مست گشت و صحو شد
All motes vanished in it; the (whole) world became intoxicated by it and (then) became sober.
چون قلم در دست غداری بود ** بیگمان منصور بر داری بود
When the pen (of authority) is in the hand of a traitor, unquestionably Mansúr is on a gibbet.
چون سفیهان راست این کار و کیا ** لازم آمد یقتلون الأنبیاء
When this affair (dominion) belongs to the foolish, the necessary consequence is (that) they kill the prophets.
انبیا را گفته قومی راه گم ** از سفه إنا تطیرنا بکم1400
Through folly the people who had lost the (right) way said to the prophets, “Lo, we augur ill from you.”
جهل ترسا بین امان انگیخته ** ز آن خداوندی که گشت آویخته
See the ignorance of the Christian appealing for protection to the Lord who was suspended (on the Cross)!
چون به قول اوست مصلوب جهود ** پس مر او را امن کی تاند نمود
Since, according to his (the Christian's) belief, He was crucified by the Jews, how then can He protect him?
چون دل آن شاه ز ایشان خون بود ** عصمت و أنت فیهم چون بود
Inasmuch as the heart of that King (Jesus) bleeds on account of them (the Christians), how should there be (for them) the inviolable defence of whilst thou art amongst them?
زر خالص را و زرگر را خطر ** باشد از قلاب خاین بیشتر
To the pure gold and to the goldsmith the danger from the false counterfeiter is greater (than from any one else).
یوسفان از رشک زشتان مخفیند ** کز عدو خوبان در آتش میزیند1405
Josephs are concealed on account of the jealousy of the ugly, for because of enemies the beautiful live in the fire (of tribulation).
یوسفان از مکر اخوان در چهاند ** کز حسد یوسف به گرگان میدهند
Josephs are in the pit through the guile of (their) brethren, who from envy give Joseph to the wolves.
از حسد بر یوسف مصری چه رفت ** این حسد اندر کمین گرگی است زفت
What happened to Joseph of Egypt on account of envy? This envy is a big wolf in covert.
لاجرم زین گرگ یعقوب حلیم ** داشت بر یوسف همیشه خوف و بیم
Of necessity, kind Jacob always had fear and dread for Joseph because of this wolf.
گرگ ظاهر گرد یوسف خود نگشت ** این حسد در فعل از گرگان گذشت
The outward (visible) wolf, indeed, did not prowl about (approach) Joseph; (but) this envy has actually surpassed wolves (in malignity).
رحم کرد این گرگ و ز عذر لبق ** آمده که إنا ذهبنا نستبق1410
This (visible) wolf took pity (on Joseph), and by way of specious excuse came (the words), “Lo, we went to compete with one another.”
صد هزاران گرگ را این مکر نیست ** عاقبت رسوا شود این گرگ بیست
Hundreds of thousands of wolves have not this cunning; (but) this wolf will at last be put to shame—stop (and see)!—
ز انکه حشر حاسدان روز گزند ** بیگمان بر صورت گرگان کنند
Because on the Day of Bale the envious will without doubt be (raised from the dead and) brought together (to Judgement) in the shape of wolves.
حشر پر حرص خس مردار خوار ** صورت خوکی بود روز شمار
The resurrection of the greedy vile eater of carrion (unlawful food) will be in the shape of a hog on the Day of Reckoning.
زانیان را گند اندام نهان ** خمر خواران را بود گند دهان
Adulteris (erit) foetor membri latentis; wine-drinkers will have stinking mouths. [Adulturers (will) have stinking private members; wine-drinkers will have stinking mouths.]
گند مخفی کان به دلها میرسید ** گشت اندر حشر محسوس و پدید1415
The hidden stench that was reaching (only) to (people's) hearts will become sensible and manifest at the Resurrection.
بیشهای آمد وجود آدمی ** بر حذر شو زین وجود ار ز آن دمی
The being of Man is a jungle: be on your guard against this being, if you are of that (Divine) Breath.
در وجود ما هزاران گرگ و خوک ** صالح و ناصالح و خوب و خشوک
In our being there are thousands of wolves and hogs; (there is) goodly and ungodly and fair and foul.
حکم آن خور است کان غالبتر است ** چون که زر بیش از مس آید آن زر است
To the disposition that is preponderant belongs the decision (as to what you are): when the gold is more than the copper, it (the mixture) is gold.
سیرتی کان بر وجودت غالب است ** هم بر آن تصویر حشرت واجب است
The manner of acting that preponderates in your nature—in that same form you must needs rise (from the dead).
ساعتی گرگی در آید در بشر ** ساعتی یوسف رخی همچون قمر1420
At one hour a wolf enters into Man, at another hour a moon-like beauty with the face of Joseph.
میرود از سینهها در سینهها ** از ره پنهان صلاح و کینهها
Good and hateful qualities pass from bosoms into bosoms by a hidden way;
بلکه خود از آدمی در گاو و خر ** میرود دانایی و علم و هنر
Nay, indeed, wisdom and knowledge and excellence pass from Man into the ox and the ass.
اسب سکسک میشود رهوار و رام ** خرس بازی میکند بر هم سلام
The stumbling (restive) horse becomes smooth-paced and docile; the bear dances, the goat also salaams.
رفت اندر سگ ز آدمیان هوس ** تا شبان شد یا شکاری یا حرس
Volition has passed from human beings into the dog, so that he has become a shepherd or a hunter or a guardian (of the house).
در سگ اصحاب خوبی ز ان وفود ** رفت تا جویای الله گشته بود1425
Into the dog of the Companions (of the Cave) there passed from those comers (to the Cave) a (moral) disposition, so that he had become a seeker of God.
هر زمان در سینه نوعی سر کند ** گاه دیو و گه ملک گه دام و دد
At every moment a (different) species bursts up in the breast: now a devil, and now an angel, now wild beasts.
ز آن عجب بیشه که شیر آگه است ** تا به دام سینهها پنهان ره است
From that marvellous jungle, where is (dwells) the wise Lion, there is a hidden way to the breasts which ensnare (the spiritual prey).
دزدیی کن از درون مرجان جان ** ای کم از سگ از درون عارفان
O you who are less than a dog, steal the spiritual pearl from within—from within (the breasts of) them that know God.
چون که دزدی باری آن در لطیف ** چون که حامل میشوی باری شریف
As you (must) steal, at any rate (let it be) that lovely pearl; as you are going to bear a burden, at any rate (let it be) a noble one.
فهم کردن مریدان که ذو النون دیوانه نشده است قاصد کرده است
How the disciples understood that Dhu ’l-Nún had not become mad, (but) had acted with intention.
دوستان در قصهی ذو النون شدند ** سوی زندان و در آن رایی زدند1430
The friends went to the prison (to inquire) about the story of Dhu ’l-Nún, and expressed an opinion concerning it,
کاین مگر قاصد کند یا حکمتی است ** او در این دین قبلهای و آیتی است
Saying, “Perchance he does this purposely, or there is some (deep) wisdom (in it): he is an exemplar and a shining light in this religion.
دور دور از عقل چون دریای او ** تا جنون باشد سفه فرمای او
Far, far be it from his sea-like (profound) intelligence that madness should prompt him to folly!
حاش لله از کمال جاه او ** کابر بیماری بپوشد ماه او
God forbid, in view of the perfection of his (spiritual) attainments, that the cloud of sickness should cover his moon!
او ز شر عامه اندر خانه شد ** او ز ننگ عاقلان دیوانه شد
He has gone into the house (and taken refuge) from the wickedness of the vulgar: he has become mad on account of the infamy of the sane.
او ز عار عقل کند تن پرست ** قاصدا رفته ست و دیوانه شده ست1435
From (feeling) the disgrace of the dull body-serving intellect, he has purposely gone and become mad,
که ببندیدم قوی و ز ساز گاو ** بر سر و پشتم بزن وین را مکاو
Saying, ‘Bind me fast and with the tail of a cow smite me on head and back, and do not dispute this (matter),
تا ز زخم لخت یابم من حیات ** چون قتیل از گاو موسی ای ثقات
That from the stroke of the part (of the cow) I may gain life, as the murdered man (gained life) from the cow of Moses, O trusty ones;
That I may be made happy by the stroke of a part of the cow; (that I may) become well (whole), as (in the case of) the murdered man and the cow of Moses’.”
زنده شد کشته ز زخم دم گاو ** همچو مس از کیمیا شد زر ساو
The murdered man was revived by the stroke of the cow's tail: he became pure gold (in spirit), even as copper (is transmuted) by the elixir.
کشته بر جست و بگفت اسرار را ** وا نمود آن زمرهی خونخوار را1440
The murdered man sprang up and told the secrets: he revealed that bloodthirsty gang.
گفت روشن کاین جماعت کشتهاند ** کاین زمان در خصمیام آشفتهاند
He said plainly, “I was killed by these people who are now disturbed (with anger) in contending against me.”
چون که کشته گردد این جسم گران ** زنده گردد هستی اسرار دان
When this gross body is killed, the essence that knows (spiritual) secrets is brought to life.