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آلت اشکار خود جز سگ مدان ** کمترک انداز سگ را استخوان
- Know that your only means of hunting is the dog (the animal soul): throw bones to the dog but seldom,
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ز آن که سگ چون سیر شد سرکش شود ** کی سوی صید و شکار خوش دود
- Because when the dog has eaten its fill, it becomes rebellious: how should it run to the goodly chase and hunt?
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آن عرب را بینوایی میکشید ** تا بدان درگاه و آن دولت رسید
- Want of food was leading the Arab till he arrived at that (exalted) court and that (high) fortune.
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در حکایت گفتهایم احسان شاه ** در حق آن بینوای بیپناه
- We have related in the (foregoing) story the kindness shown by the King to that needy one who had no refuge.
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هر چه گوید مرد عاشق بوی عشق ** از دهانش میجهد در کوی عشق 2880
- Whatsoever the man in love (with God) speaks, the scent of Love is springing from his mouth into the abode of Love.
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گر بگوید فقه فقر آید همه ** بوی فقر آید از آن خوش دمدمه
- If he speak (formal) theology, it all turns to (spiritual) poverty: the scent of poverty comes from that man of sweet and beguiling discourse.
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ور بگوید کفر دارد بوی دین ** ور به شک گوید شکش گردد یقین
- And if he speak infidelity, it has the scent of (the true) religion, and if he speak doubtfully, his doubt turns to certainty.
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کف کژ کز بحر صدقی خاسته است ** اصل صاف آن فرع را آراسته است
- The perverse froth that has risen from a sea of sincerity— that branch (derivative) has been adorned by the pure root (source).
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آن کفش را صافی و محقوق دان ** همچو دشنام لب معشوق دان
- Know that its froth is pure and worthy: know that it is like revilement from the lips of the beloved,
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گشته آن دشنام نامطلوب او ** خوش ز بهر عارض محبوب او 2885
- Whose unsought reproaches have become sweet (to the lover) for the sake of her cheek which he desires.
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گر بگوید کژ نماید راستی ** ای کژی که راست را آراستی
- If he (the lover of God) speak falsehood, it seems (like) the truth. O (fine) falsehood that would adorn (even) the truth!
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از شکر گر شکل نانی میپزی ** طعم قند آید نه نان چون میمزی
- If you cook (a confection) of sugar in the form of a loaf of bread, it will taste of candy, not of bread, while you are sucking it.
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ور بیابد مومنی زرین وثن ** کی هلد آن را برای هر شمن
- If a true believer find a golden idol, how should he leave it (there) for the sake of every idolator?
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بلکه گیرد اندر آتش افکند ** صورت عاریتش را بشکند
- Nay, he will take it and cast it into the fire: he will break (destroy) its borrowed (unreal) form,
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تا نماند بر ذهب شکل وثن ** ز آن که صورت مانع است و راه زن 2890
- In order that the idol-shape may not remain on the gold, because Form hinders and waylays (those who seek Reality).
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ذات زرش ذات ربانیت است ** نقش بت بر نقد زر عاریت است
- The essence of its gold is the gift of Lordship (Divinity): the idol-stamp on the sterling gold is borrowed (unreal).
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بهر کیکی تو گلیمی را مسوز ** وز صداع هر مگس مگذار روز
- Do not burn a blanket on account of a flea, and do not let the day go (to waste) on account of every gnat's headache.
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بت پرستی چون بمانی در صور ** صورتش بگذار و در معنی نگر
- You are an idol-worshipper when you remain in (bondage to) forms: leave its (the idol's) form and look at the reality.
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مرد حجی همره حاجی طلب ** خواه هندو خواه ترک و یا عرب
- If you are a man (bound) for the Pilgrimage, seek a pilgrim (as your) companion, whether he be a Hindoo or a Turcoman or an Arab.
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منگر اندر نقش و اندر رنگ او ** بنگر اندر عزم و در آهنگ او 2895
- Do not look at his figure and colour, look at his purpose and intention.
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گر سیاه است او هم آهنگ تو است ** تو سپیدش خوان که هم رنگ تو است
- If he is black, (yet) he is in accord with you: call him white, for (spiritually) his complexion is the same as yours.
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این حکایت گفته شد زیر و زبر ** همچو فکر عاشقان بیپا و سر
- This story has been told up and down (confusedly), like the thoughts of lovers, without foot (end) or head (beginning).
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سر ندارد چون ز ازل بوده ست پیش ** پا ندارد با ابد بوده ست خویش
- It hath no head, inasmuch as it existed before eternity; it hath no foot: it has (always) been akin to everlastingness.
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بلکه چون آب است هر قطره از آن ** هم سر است و پا و هم بیهردوان
- Nay, it is like water: every drop thereof is both head and foot, and at the same time without both.
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حاش لله این حکایت نیست هین ** نقد حال ما و تست این خوش ببین 2900
- This is not a story, mark you! God forbid! This is the ready money (presentation, here and now) of my state and yours. Consider (it) well,