آدمی را کس نگوید هین بپر ** یا بیا ای کور تو در من نگر
One never says to a human being, ‘Hey, fly!’ or ‘Come, O blind man, and look at me!’
گفت یزدان ما علی الاعمی حرج ** کی نهد بر کس حرج رب الفرج 2970
God hath said, ‘There is nothing intolerable (laid) upon the blind’: how should the Lord who bestows relief lay upon any one what is intolerable?
کس نگوید سنگ را دیر آمدی ** یا که چوبا تو چرا بر من زدی
Nobody says to a stone, ‘Thou hast come late’ or (to a stick), ‘Why didst thou strike a blow at me, O stick?’
این چنین واجستها مجبور را ** کس بگوید یا زند معذور را
Will any one address demands like these to a person who is compelled, or strike a person who is excused (from complying with them)?
امر و نهی و خشم و تشریف و عتاب ** نیست جز مختار را ای پاک‌جیب
Command and prohibition and anger and conferment of honour and (bestowal of) rebuke concern him (only) who possesses the power of choice, O pure-bosomed one.
اختیاری هست در ظلم و ستم ** من ازین شیطان و نفس این خواستم
There is (such) a power of choice in regard to injustice and wrong-doing: this (is what) I meant by this Devil and carnal soul.
اختیار اندر درونت ساکنست ** تا ندید او یوسفی کف را نخست 2975
The power of choice resides in your inward part, (but) it does not wound its hand till it sees a Joseph.
اختیار و داعیه در نفس بود ** روش دید آنگه پر و بالی گشود
The power of choice and the instinct (to choose) were (latent) in the soul: (when) it beheld his (Joseph's) face, then it spread wings and pinions (to fly towards him).