او بمانده دور از مطلوب خویش ** سعی ضایع رنج باطل پای ریش
He was left far from the object of his desire—his labour lost, his toil useless, his foot wounded,
همچو صیادی که گیرد سایهای ** سایه کی گردد و را سرمایهای
Like the hunter who catches a shadow—how should the shadow become his property?
سایهی مرغی گرفته مرد سخت ** مرغ حیران گشته بر شاخ درخت
The man has grasped tightly the shadow of a bird, (while) the bird on the branch of the tree is fallen into amazement,
کاین مدمغ بر که میخندد عجب ** اینت باطل اینت پوسیده سبب2810
(Thinking), “I wonder who this crack-brained fellow is laughing at? Here's folly for you, here's a rotten cause!”
ور تو گویی جزو پیوستهی کل است ** خار میخور خار مقرون گل است
And if you say that the part is connected with the whole, (then) eat thorns: the thorn is connected with the rose.
جز ز یک رو نیست پیوسته به کل ** ور نه خود باطل بدی بعث رسل
Except from one point of view, it (the part) is not connected with the whole: otherwise, indeed, the mission of the prophets would be vain,
چون رسولان از پی پیوستناند ** پس چه پیوندندشان چون یک تناند
Inasmuch as the prophets are (sent) in order to connect (the part with the whole): how, then, should they (the prophets) connect them when they are (already) one body?
این سخن پایان ندارد ای غلام ** روز بیگه شد حکایت کن تمام
This discourse hath no end. O lad, the day is late: conclude the tale.
سپردن عرب هدیه را یعنی سبو را به غلامان خلیفه
How the Arab delivered the gift, that is, the jug to the Caliph's servants.
آن سبوی آب را در پیش داشت ** تخم خدمت را در آن حضرت بکاشت2815
He presented the jug of water, he sowed the seed of homage in that (exalted) court.
گفت این هدیه بدان سلطان برید ** سایل شه را ز حاجت واخرید
“Bear this gift,” said he, “to the Sultan, redeem the King's suitor from indigence.
آب شیرین و سبوی سبز و نو ** ز آب بارانی که جمع آمد به گو
’Tis sweet water and a new green jug—some of the rain-water that collected in the ditch.”
خنده میآمد نقیبان را از آن ** لیک پذرفتند آن را همچو جان
The officials smiled at that, but they accepted it (the jug) as (though it were precious as) life,
ز آن که لطف شاه خوب با خبر ** کرده بود اندر همه ارکان اثر
Because the graciousness of the good and wise King had made a mark (impressed itself) on all the courtiers.
خوی شاهان در رعیت جا کند ** چرخ اخضر خاک را خضرا کند2820
The disposition of kings settles (becomes implanted) in their subjects: the green sky makes the earth verdant.
شه چو حوضی دان حشم چون لولهها ** آب از لوله روان در کولهها
Regard the king as a reservoir, his retainers as the pipes: the water runs through the pipe into the ponds (receptacles).
چون که آب جمله از حوضی است پاک ** هر یکی آبی دهد خوش ذوقناک
When the water in all (the pipes) is from a pure reservoir, every single one gives sweet water, pleasant to taste;
ور در آن حوض آب شور است و پلید ** هر یکی لوله همان آرد پدید
But if the water in the reservoir is brackish and dirty, every pipe brings the same to view,
ز آن که پیوسته ست هر لوله به حوض ** خوض کن در معنی این حرف خوض
Because every pipe is connected with the reservoir. Dive, dive into (ponder deeply) the meaning of these words.
لطف شاهنشاه جان بیوطن ** چون اثر کرده ست اندر کل تن2825
(Consider) how the imperial grace of the homeless Spirit has produced effects on the whole body;
لطف عقل خوش نهاد خوش نسب ** چون همه تن را در آرد در ادب
How the grace of Reason, which is of goodly nature, of goodly lineage, brings the entire body into discipline;
عشق شنگ بیقرار بیسکون ** چون در آرد کل تن را در جنون
How Love, saucy, uncontrolled, and restless, throws the whole body into madness.
لطف آب بحر کاو چون کوثر است ** سنگ ریزهش جمله در و گوهر است
The purity of the water of the Sea that is like Kawthar (is such that) all its pebbles are pearls and gems.
هر هنر که استا بدان معروف شد ** جان شاگردان بدان موصوف شد
For whatever science the master is renowned, the souls of his pupils become endued with the same.
پیش استاد اصولی هم اصول ** خواند آن شاگرد چست با حصول2830
With the master-theologian the quick and industrious pupil reads (scholastic) theology.
پیش استاد فقیه آن فقه خوان ** فقه خواند نی اصول اندر بیان
With the master-jurist the student of jurisprudence reads jurisprudence, when he (the teacher) expounds it, not theology.