شاهد تو سد روی شاهد است ** مرشد تو سد گفت مرشد است3245
Your (earthly) beloved is a barrier to the face of the (Divine) Beloved: your (worldly) guide is a barrier to the words of the (true spiritual) guide.
ای بسا کفار را سودای دین ** بندشان ناموس و کبر آن و این
Oh, many are the infidels that have a passionate longing for the Religion (Islam): their chain (stumbling-block) is reputation and pride in this and that (object of desire).
بند پنهان لیک از آهن بتر ** بند آهن را کند پاره تبر
The chain is hidden. but ’tis worse than iron: the iron chain is cut in pieces by the axe.
بند آهن را توان کردن جدا ** بند غیبی را نداند کس دوا
The iron chain can be removed: none knows how to cure the invisible chain.
مرد را زنبور اگر نیشی زند ** طبع او آن لحظه بر دفعی تند
If a man is stung by a wasp, at that moment his nature is intent on a means of removing (the pain),
زخم نیش اما چو از هستی تست ** غم قوی باشد نگردد درد سست3250
But since the stinging wound is from (inflicted by) your self-existence, the pain continues with violence and the anguish is not relieved.
شرح این از سینه بیرون میجهد ** لیک میترسم که نومیدی دهد
The (full) explanation of this (matter) is springing forth (seeking to escape) from my breast, but I am afraid it may give (you cause to) despair.
نی مشو نومید و خود را شاد کن ** پیش آن فریادرس فریاد کن
Nay, do not despair: make yourself cheerful, call for help to Him who comes at the call,
کای محب عفو از ما عفو کن ** ای طبیب رنج ناسور کهن
Saying, “Forgive us, O Thou who lovest to forgive, O Thou who hast a medicine for the old gangrenous disease!”
عکس حکمت آن شقی را یاوه کرد ** خود مبین تا بر نیارد از تو گرد
The reflexion of Wisdom led astray that miserable one (the Prophet's scribe): be not self-conceited, lest it (your self-conceit) raise up the dust from you (utterly destroy you).
ای برادر بر تو حکمت جاریه ست ** آن ز ابدال است و بر تو عاریه ست3255
O brother, Wisdom is flowing in upon you: it comes from the Abdál, and in you it is (only) a borrowed thing.
گر چه در خود خانه نوری یافته ست ** آن ز همسایهی منور تافته ست
Although the house (your heart) has found a light within it, that (light) has shone forth from an illumined neighbour.
شکر کن غره مشو بینی مکن ** گوش دار و هیچ خود بینی مکن
Render thanks, be not beguiled by vanity, do not turn up your nose (in disdain), hearken attentively, and do not show any self-conceit.
صد دریغ و درد کاین عاریتی ** امتان را دور کرد از امتی
’Tis a hundred pities and griefs that this borrowed (unreal) state (of self-assertion) has put the religious communities far from religious communion.
من غلام آن که او در هر رباط ** خویش را واصل نداند بر سماط
I am the (devoted) slave of him who does not regard himself in every caravanseray (at every stage in his spiritual progress) as having attained to (the privilege of sitting at) the table (of union with God).
بس رباطی که بباید ترک کرد ** تا به مسکن در رسد یک روز مرد3260
Many is the caravanseray that must be quitted, in order that one day the man may reach home.
گر چه آهن سرخ شد او سرخ نیست ** پرتو عاریت آتش زنی است
Though the iron has become red, it is not red (by nature): it (the redness) is a ray borrowed from something that strikes fire.
گر شود پر نور روزن یا سرا ** تو مدان روشن مگر خورشید را
If the window or the house is full of light, do not deem aught luminous except the sun.
هر در و دیوار گوید روشنم ** پرتو غیری ندارم این منم
Every door and wall says, “I am luminous: I do not hold the rays of another, I (myself) am this (light).”
پس بگوید آفتاب ای نارشید ** چون که من غارب شوم آید پدید
Then the sun says, “O thou who art not right (in thy belief), when I set ’twill become evident (thou wilt see what the truth is).”
سبزهها گویند ما سبز از خودیم ** شاد و خندانیم و بس زیبا خدیم3265
The plants say, “We are green of ourselves, we are gay and smiling (blooming) and we have very beauteous cheeks.”
فصل تابستان بگوید ای امم ** خویش را بینید چون من بگذرم
The season of summer says (to them), “O peoples, behold yourselves when I depart!”
تن همینازد به خوبی و جمال ** روح پنهان کرده فر و پر و بال
The body is boasting of its beauty and comeliness, (while) the spirit, having concealed its glory and pinions and plumes,
گویدش ای مزبله تو کیستی ** یک دو روز از پرتو من زیستی
Says to it, “O dunghill, who art thou? Through my beams thou hast come to life for a day or two.
غنج و نازت مینگنجد در جهان ** باش تا که من شوم از تو جهان
Thy coquetry and prideful airs are not contained in the world (go beyond all bounds), (but) wait till I spring up (and escape) from thee!