Since we are the mates of those who see double, O idolater, ’tis necessary to speak in the fashion of him who attributes a partner (to God).
آن یکیی زان سوی وصفست و حال ** جز دوی ناید به میدان مقال
That Unity is beyond description and condition: nothing comes into the arena (domain) of speech except duality.
یا چو احول این دوی را نوش کن ** یا دهان بر دوز و خوش خاموش کن 2035
Either, like the double-seeing man, drink in (absorb and be satisfied with) this duality, or close your mouth and be very silent;
یا به نوبت گه سکوت و گه کلام ** احولانه طبل می‌زن والسلام
Or (do both) in turns, now silence, now speech: (in the company of the uninitiated) beat the drum like him that sees double, and peace (be with you)!
چون ببینی محرمی گو سر جان ** گل ببینی نعره زن چون بلبلان
When you see a confidant, declare the mystery of the Spirit: (if) you see the rose, sing loud like nightingales.
چون ببینی مشک پر مکر و مجاز ** لب ببند و خویشتن را خنب ساز
(But) when you see (one who resembles) a water-skin full of deceit and falsehood, shut your lips and make yourself like a (dry-lipped) jar;
دشمن آبست پیش او مجنب ** ورنه سنگ جهل او بشکست خنب
(For) he is an enemy to the water (of spiritual life): in his presence do not move (your lips), else the stone of his ignorance breaks the jar.
با سیاستهای جاهل صبر کن ** خوش مدارا کن به عقل من لدن 2040
Patiently endure the punishments inflicted by the ignorant man: give him fair words and dissemble (towards him) with the reason that is divinely inspired.
صبر با نااهل اهلان را جلاست ** صبر صافی می‌کند هر جا دلیست
Patience (shown) to the unworthy is the means of polishing (purifying) the worthy: wherever a heart exists, patience purifies it.
آتش نمرود ابراهیم را ** صفوت آیینه آمد در جلا
The fire of Nimrod was the means of making pure (resplendent) the (inward) mirror of Abraham in (the process of) polishing.
جور کفر نوحیان و صبر نوح ** نوح را شد صیقل مرآت روح
The iniquitous unbelief of Noah's people and the patience of Noah were instrumental in polishing the mirror of Noah's spirit.
حکایت مرید شیخ حسن خرقانی قدس الله سره
Story of the disciple of Shaykh (Abú) Hasan Kharraqání, may God sanctify his spirit!
رفت درویشی ز شهر طالقان ** بهر صیت بوالحسین خارقان
A dervish went from the town of Tálaqán because of the fame of Abu ’l- Husayn of Kháraqán.
کوهها ببرید و وادی دراز ** بهر دید شیخ با صدق و نیاز 2045
He traversed the mountains and the long valley to visit the Shaykh who was endowed with sincerity and fervent supplication.
آنچ در ره دید از رنج و ستم ** گرچه در خوردست کوته می‌کنم
Although the afflictions and injuries which he suffered on the road are deserving (of mention), I will abridge (the story).
چون به مقصد آمد از ره آن جوان ** خانه‌ی آن شاه را جست او نشان
When the young man reached the end of his journey, he asked to be directed to the house of that (spiritual) king.
چون به صد حرمت بزد حلقه‌ی درش ** زن برون کرد از در خانه سرش
As soon as he knocked at his door with a hundred reverences, the (Shaykh's) wife put forth her head from the door of the house,
که چه می‌خواهی بگو ای ذوالکرم ** ژگفت بر قصد زیارت آمدم
Saying, “What do you want? Tell (me), kind sir.” He replied, “I have come with the intention of paying a visit (to the Shaykh).”
خنده‌ای زد زن که خه‌خه ریش بین ** این سفرگیری و این تشویش بین 2050
The wife gave a (loud) laugh. “Ha, ha,” she exclaimed, “look at your beard, look at this undertaking of a journey and (all) this trouble!
خود ترا کاری نبود آن جایگاه ** که به بیهوده کنی این عزم راه
Was there nothing for you to do in the place (where you come from), that you should idly set out upon this expedition?
اشتهای گول‌گردی آمدت ** یا ملولی وطن غالب شدت
Did you feel a craving to indulge in foolish sight-seeing, or were you overcome by disgust with your home?
یا مگر دیوت دو شاخه بر نهاد ** بر تو وسواس سفر را در گشاد
Or, perchance, the Devil laid on you a two-forked barnacle and let loose upon you the temptation to travel.”
گفت نافرجام و فحش و دمدمه ** من نتوانم باز گفتن آن همه
She uttered unseemly and foul and silly words: I cannot relate all of them.
از مثل وز ریش‌خند بی‌حساب ** آن مرید افتاد از غم در نشیب 2055
The disciple was thrown into a painful state of dejection by her parables and countless mockeries.
پرسیدن آن وارد از حرم شیخ کی شیخ کجاست کجا جوییم و جواب نافرجام گفتن حرم
How the new-comer asked the Shaykh's wife, “Where is the Shaykh? Where shall I look for him?” and the rude answer given by the Shaykh's wife.
اشکش از دیده بجست و گفت او ** با همه آن شاه شیرین‌نام کو
Tears burst from his eyes, and he said, “Nevertheless, where is that (spiritual) king of sweet name?”
گفت آن سالوس زراق تهی ** دام گولان و کمند گمرهی
She replied, “That vain hypocritical impostor, a trap for fools and a noose for (leading into) error—
صد هزاران خام ریشان هم‌چو تو ** اوفتاده از وی اندر صد عتو
Hundreds of thousands of callow simpletons like you have fallen, through him, into a hundred rebelliousnesses.
گر نبینیش و سلامت وا روی ** خیر تو باشد نگردی زو غوی
If you should not see him and return (home) in safety, it will be good (luck) for you: you will not be led astray by him.