لیک بر شیری مکن هم اعتماد ** اندر آ در سایهی نخل امید2960
But do not even rely upon thy lion-heartedness: come into the shade of the palm tree of hope.
اندر آ در سایهی آن عاقلی ** کش نداند برد از ره ناقلی
Come into the shade (protection) of the Sage whom no conveyer can carry off from the Way.
ظل او اندر زمین چون کوه قاف ** روح او سیمرغ بس عالی طواف
His shadow on the earth is like Mount Qáf, his spirit is (like) the Símurgh that circles (soars) exceedingly high.
گر بگویم تا قیامت نعت او ** هیچ آن را مقطع و غایت مجو
If I should tell of his qualities until the Resurrection, do not seek (expect) any conclusion and end to them.
در بشر رو پوش کرده ست آفتاب ** فهم کن و الله اعلم بالصواب
The (Divine) Sun has veiled Himself in Man: apprehend (this mystery), and God knows best what is right.
یا علی از جملهی طاعات راه ** بر گزین تو سایهی خاص اله2965
O ‘Alí, above all devotional acts in the Way (of God) do thou choose the shadow (protection) of the chosen favourite of God.
هر کسی در طاعتی بگریختند ** خویشتن را مخلصی انگیختند
Every one took refuge in some act of devotion and discovered for themselves some means of deliverance.
تو برو در سایهی عاقل گریز ** تا رهی ز آن دشمن پنهٱن ستیز
Go thou, take refuge in the shadow of the Sage, that thou mayst escape from the Enemy that opposes (thee) in secret.
از همه طاعات اینت بهتر است ** سبق یابی بر هر آن سابق که هست
Of all acts of devotion this is the best for thee: (thereby) thou wilt gain precedence over every one that has outstripped (the rest).”
چون گرفتت پیر هین تسلیم شو ** همچو موسی زیر حکم خضر رو
When the Pír has accepted thee, take heed, surrender thyself (to him): go, like Moses, under the authority of Khizr.
صبر کن بر کار خضری بینفاق ** تا نگوید خضر رو هذا فراق2970
Bear patiently whatever is done by a Khizr who is without hypocrisy, in order that Khizr may not say, “Begone, this is (our) parting.”
گر چه کشتی بشکند تو دم مزن ** گر چه طفلی را کشد تو مو مکن
Though he stave in the boat, do not speak a word; though he kill a child, do not tear thy hair.
دست او را حق چو دست خویش خواند ** تا يد الله فوق أيدیهم براند
God has declared that his (the Pír's) hand is as His own, since He gave out (the words) the Hand of God is above their hands.
دست حق میراندش زندهش کند ** زنده چه بود جان پایندهش کند
The Hand of God causes him (the child) to die and (then) brings him to life. What of life? He makes him a spirit everlasting.
هر که تنها نادرا این ره برید ** هم به عون همت پیران رسید
If any one, by rare exception, traversed this Way alone (without a Pír), he arrived (at his goal) through the help of the spiritual influence of the Pírs.
دست پیر از غایبان کوتاه نیست ** دست او جز قبضهی الله نیست2975
The hand of the Pír is not withdrawn from the absent (those who are not under his authority): his hand is naught but the grasp of God.
غایبان را چون چنین خلعت دهند ** حاضران از غایبان لا شک بهند
Inasmuch as they give such a robe of honour to the absent, (what must they give their disciples?): undoubtedly the present are better than the absent.
غایبان را چون نواله میدهند ** پیش مهمان تا چه نعمتها نهند
Since they are bestowing (spiritual) food on the absent, see what bounties they must lay before the guest.
کو کسی که پیش شه بندد کمر ** تا کسی که هست بیرون سوی در
Where is one that girds himself (for service) before the king to (i.e. how far superior is he to) one that is outside the door?
چون گزیدی پیر نازک دل مباش ** سست و ریزیده چو آب و گل مباش
When thou hast chosen thy Pír, be not faint-hearted, be not weak as water and crumbly as earth.
گر بهر زخمی تو پر کینه شوی ** پس کجا بیصیقل آیینه شوی2980
If thou art enraged by every blow, then how wilt thou become a (clear) mirror without being polished?
کبودی زدن قزوینی بر شانگاه صورت شیر و پشیمان شدن او به سبب زخم سوزن
How the man of Qazwín was tattooing the figure of a lion in blue on his shoulders, and (then) repenting because of the (pain of the) needle-pricks.
این حکایت بشنو از صاحب بیان ** در طریق و عادت قزوینیان
Hear from the narrator this story about the way and custom of the people of Qazwín.
بر تن و دست و کتفها بیگزند ** از سر سوزن کبودیها زنند
They tattoo themselves in blue with the point of a needle on body and hand and shoulders, so as to suffer no injury.
سوی دلاکی بشد قزوینیی ** که کبودم زن بکن شیرینیی
A certain man of Qazwín went to a barber and said, “Tattoo me (and) do it charmingly (artistically).”
گفت چه صورت زنم ای پهلوان ** گفت بر زن صورت شیر ژیان
“O valiant sir,” said he, “what figure shall I tattoo?” He answered, “Prick in the figure of a furious lion.