چیست تعظیم خدا افراشتن ** خویشتن را خوار و خاکی داشتن
What is (the meaning of) to exalt and glorify God? To deem yourself despicable and (worthless) as dust.
چیست توحید خدا آموختن ** خویشتن را پیش واحد سوختن
What is (the meaning of) to learn the knowledge of God's unity? To consume yourself in the presence of the One.
گر همیخواهی که بفروزی چو روز ** هستی همچون شب خود را بسوز3010
If you wish to shine like day, burn up your night-like self-existence.
هستیات در هست آن هستی نواز ** همچو مس در کیمیا اندر گداز
Melt away your existence, as copper (melts away) in the elixir, in the being of Him who fosters (and sustains) existence.
در من و ما سخت کرده ستی دو دست ** هست این جملهی خرابی از دو هست
You have fastened both your hands tight on (are determined not to give up) “I” and “we”: all this (spiritual) ruin is caused by dualism.
رفتن گرگ و روباه در خدمت شیر به شکار
How the wolf and fox went to hunt in attendance on the lion.
شیر و گرگ و روبهی بهر شکار ** رفته بودند از طلب در کوهسار
A lion, wolf, and fox had gone to hunt in the mountains in quest (of food),
تا به پشت همدگر بر صیدها ** سخت بر بندند بار قیدها
That by supporting each other they might tie fast the burden of the fetters (of captivity) on the hunted animals,
هر سه با هم اندر آن صحرای ژرف ** صیدها گیرند بسیار و شگرف3015
And all three together might seize much and great quarry in that deep wilderness.
گر چه ز یشان شیر نر را ننگ بود ** لیک کرد اکرام و همراهی نمود
Although the fierce lion was ashamed of them (the wolf and fox), yet he did them honour and gave them his company on the way.
این چنین شه را ز لشکر زحمت است ** لیک همره شد جماعت رحمت است
To a king like this the (escort of) soldiers are an annoyance, but he accompanied them: a united party is a mercy (from God).
این چنین مه را ز اختر ننگهاست ** او میان اختران بهر سخاست
A moon like this is disgraced by the stars: it is amongst the stars for generosity's sake.
امر شاورهم پیمبر را رسید ** گر چه رایی نیست رایش را ندید
The (Divine) command, Consult them, came to the Prophet, though no counsel is to be compared with his own.
در ترازو جو رفیق زر شده ست ** نی از آن که جو چو زر گوهر شده ست3020
In the scales barley has become the companion of gold, (but that is) not because barley has become a substance like gold.
روح قالب را کنون همره شده ست ** مدتی سگ حارس درگه شده ست
The spirit has now become the body's fellow-traveller: the dog has become for a time the guardian of the palace-gate.
چون که رفتند این جماعت سوی کوه ** در رکاب شیر با فر و شکوه
When this party (the wolf and fox) went to the mountains at the stirrup (side) of the lion majestic and grand,
گاو کوهی و بز و خرگوش زفت ** یافتند و کار ایشان پیش رفت
They found a mountain-ox and goat and fat hare, and their business went forward (prosperously).
هر که باشد در پی شیر حراب ** کم نیاید روز و شب او را کباب
Whoever is on the heels of him that is a lion in combat, roast-meat does not fail him by day or by night.
چون ز که در بیشه آوردندشان ** کشته و مجروح و اندر خون کشان3025
When they brought them (the animals which they had caught) from the mountains to the jungle, killed and wounded and dragging along in (streams of) blood,
گرگ و روبه را طمع بود اندر آن ** که رود قسمت به عدل خسروان
The wolf and fox hoped that a division (of the prey) would be made according to the justice of emperors.
عکس طمع هر دوشان بر شیر زد ** شیر دانست آن طمعها را سند
The reflexion of the hope of both of them struck the lion: the lion knew (what was) the ground for those hopes.
هر که باشد شیر اسرار و امیر ** او بداند هر چه اندیشد ضمیر
Any one that is the lion and prince of (spiritual) mysteries, he will know all that the conscience thinks.
هین نگه دار ای دل اندیشه جو ** دل ز اندیشهی بدی در پیش او
Beware! Guard thyself, O heart disposed to thinking, from any evil thought in his presence.
داند و خر را همیراند خموش ** در رخت خندد برای رویپوش3030
He knows and keeps riding on silently: he smiles in thy face in order to mask (his feelings).
شیر چون دانست آن وسواسشان ** وانگفت و داشت آن دم پاسشان
When the lion perceived their bad ideas, he did not declare (his knowledge), and paid (courteous) regard (to them) at the time,
لیک با خود گفت بنمایم سزا ** مر شما را ای خسیسان گدا
But he said to himself, “I will show you what (chastisement) ye deserve, O beggarly villains!