گر ز دجله با خبر بودی چو ما ** او نبردی آن سبو را جا به جا
If he had been acquainted with the Tigris, as we are, he would not have carried that jug from place to place;
بلکه از دجله چو واقف آمدی ** آن سبو را بر سر سنگی زدی
Nay, had he been aware of the Tigris, he would have dashed that jug against a stone.
قبول کردن خلیفه هدیه را و عطا فرمودن با کمال بینیازی از آن هدیه و از آن سبو
How the Caliph accepted the gift and bestowed largesse, notwithstanding that he was entirely without need of the gift (the water) and the jug.
چون خلیفه دید و احوالش شنید ** آن سبو را پر ز زر کرد و مزید
When the Caliph saw (the gift) and heard his story, he filled the jug with gold and added (other presents).
آن عرب را کرد از فاقه خلاص ** داد بخششها و خلعتهای خاص
He delivered the Arab from penury, he bestowed donations and special robes of honour,
کاین سبو پر زر به دست او دهید ** چون که واگردد سوی دجلهش برید2855
Saying, “Give into his hand this jug full of gold. When he returns (home), take him to the Tigris.
از ره خشک آمده ست و از سفر ** از ره آبش بود نزدیکتر
He has come (hither) by way of the desert and by travelling (on land): it will be nearer for him (to return) by way of the Tigris.”
چون به کشتی درنشست و دجله دید ** سجده میکرد از حیا و میخمید
When he (the Arab) embarked in the boat and beheld the Tigris, he was prostrating himself in shame and bowing (his head),
کای عجب لطف این شه وهاب را ** وین عجبتر کو ستد آن آب را
Saying, “Oh, wonderful is the kindness of this bounteous King, and ’tis (even) more wonderful that he took that water.
چون پذیرفت از من آن دریای جود ** آن چنان نقد دغل را زود زود
How did that Sea of munificence so quickly accept from me such spurious coin as that?”
کل عالم را سبو دان ای پسر ** کاو بود از علم و خوبی تا به سر2860
Know, O son, that everything in the universe is a jug which is (filled) to the brim with wisdom and beauty.
قطرهای از دجلهی خوبی اوست ** کان نمیگنجد ز پری زیر پوست
It (everything in the universe) is a drop of the Tigris of His beauty, which (beauty) because of its fullness is not contained under the skin (that should enclose it).
گنج مخفی بد ز پری چاک کرد ** خاک را تابان تر از افلاک کرد
’Twas a hidden treasure: because of its fullness it burst forth and made the earth more shining than the heavens.
گنج مخفی بد ز پری جوش کرد ** خاک را سلطان اطلس پوش کرد
’Twas a hidden treasure: because of its fullness it surged up and made the earth (like) a sultan robed in satin.
ور بدیدی شاخی از دجلهی خدا ** آن سبو را او فنا کردی فنا
And if he (the Arab) had seen a branch of the Divine Tigris, he would have destroyed that jug, destroyed it.
آن که دیدندش همیشه بیخودند ** بیخودانه بر سبو سنگی زدند2865
They that saw it are always beside themselves: like one beside himself, they hurled a stone at the jug (of their self-existence).
ای ز غیرت بر سبو سنگی زده ** و این سبو ز اشکست کاملتر شده
O thou who from jealousy hast hurled a stone at the jug, and thy brokenness has in truth become soundness,
خم شکسته آب از او ناریخته ** صد درستی زین شکست انگیخته
The jar is shattered, (but) the water is not spilled from it: from this shattering have arisen a hundred soundnesses.
جزو جزو خم به رقص است و به حال ** عقل جزوی را نموده این محال
Every piece of the jar is in dance and ecstasy, (though) to the partial (discursive) reason this seems absurd.
نی سبو پیدا در این حالت نه آب ** خوش ببین و الله اعلم بالصواب
In this state (of ecstasy) neither the jug is manifest nor the water. Consider well, and God knoweth best what is right.
چون در معنی زنی بازت کنند ** پر فکرت زن که شهبازت کنند2870
When you knock at the door of Reality, it will be opened to you: beat the pinion of thought, in order that you may be made a king-falcon.
پر فکرت شد گل آلود و گران ** ز آن که گل خواری ترا گل شد چو نان
The pinion of your thought has become mud-stained and heavy because you are a clay-eater: clay has become to you as bread.
نان گل است و گوشت کمتر خور از این ** تا نمانی همچو گل اندر زمین
Bread and meat are (originally) clay: eat little thereof, that you may not remain in the earth, like clay.
چون گرسنه میشوی سگ میشوی ** تند و بد پیوند و بد رگ میشوی
When you become hungry, you become a dog: you become fierce and ill-tempered and ill-natured.
چون شدی تو سیر مرداری شدی ** بیخبر بیپا چو دیواری شدی
When you have eaten your fill, you have become a carcase: you have become devoid of understanding and without feet (inert), like a wall.
پس دمی مردار و دیگر دم سگی ** چون کنی در راه شیران خوش تگی2875
So at one time you are a carcase and at another time a dog: how will you run well in the road of the lions (follow the saints)?