گفت درویشی به درویشی که تو ** چون بدیدی حضرت حق را بگو

گفت درویشی به درویشی که تو ** چون بدیدی حضرت حق را بگو 420

One dervish said to another, “Tell (me), what was thy vision of the Presence of God?”

گفت بی‌چون دیدم اما بهر قال ** بازگویم مختصر آن را مثال

He replied, “My vision was ineffable; but for the sake of argument I will briefly declare a parable thereof.

دیدمش سوی چپ او آذری ** سوی دست راست جوی کوثری

I beheld Him with a fire on His left, and on the right a stream (like) Kawthar:

سوی چپش بس جهان‌سوز آتشی ** سوی دست راستش جوی خوشی

On His left an exceedingly world-consuming fire, on His right hand a sweet river.

سوی آن آتش گروهی برده دست ** بهر آن کوثر گروهی شاد و مست

One party put forth their hands towards the fire, (while) another party were rejoicing and intoxicated (with desire) for that Kawthar.

لیک لعب بازگونه بود سخت ** پیش پای هر شقی و نیکبخت 425

But ’twas a very topsy-turvy (mystifying) game in the path of every one doomed to perdition or blessed with salvation.

هر که در آتش همی رفت و شرر ** از میان آب بر می‌کرد سر

Whoever went into the fire and sparks was emerging from the midst of the water;

هر که سوی آب می‌رفت از میان ** او در آتش یافت می‌شد در زمان

Whoever went from the middle towards the water, he was at once found to be in the fire;

هر که سوی راست شد و آب زلال ** سر ز آتش بر زد از سوی شمال

Whoever went towards the right (hand) and the limpid water would put forth his head from the fire on the left;

وانک شد سوی شمال آتشین ** سر برون می‌کرد از سوی یمین

And he who went towards the fiery left, would emerge on the right.