علم کان نبود ز هو بی‌‌واسطه ** آن نپاید همچو رنگ ماشطه‌‌

The knowledge that is not immediately from Himself does not endure, (it is) like the tire woman's paint.

لیک چون این بار را نیکو کشی ** بار بر گیرند و بخشندت خوشی‌‌ 3450

But when you carry this burden well, the burden will be removed and you will be given (spiritual) joy.

هین مکش بهر هوا آن بار علم ** تا ببینی در درون انبار علم‌‌

Beware! Do not carry that burden of knowledge for the sake of selfish desire (but mortify yourself), so that you may behold the barn (store-house) of knowledge within (you),

تا که بر رهوار علم آیی سوار ** بعد از آن افتد ترا از دوش بار

So that you may mount the smooth-paced steed of knowledge, (and that) afterwards the burden may fall from your shoulder.

از هواها کی رهی بی‌‌جام هو ** ای ز هو قانع شده با نام هو

How wilt thou be freed from selfish desires without the cup of Hú (Him), O thou who hast become content with no more of Hú than the name of Hú?

از صفت و ز نام چه زاید خیال ** و آن خیالش هست دلال وصال‌‌

From attribute and name what comes to birth? Phantasy; and that phantasy shows the way to union with Him.

دیده‌‌ای دلال بی‌‌مدلول هیچ ** تا نباشد جاده نبود غول هیچ‌‌ 3455

Hast thou ever seen a subject that shows without (the existence of) an object that is shown: unless there is the road, there can never be the ghoul (which entices travelers to stray from the road).

هیچ نامی بی‌‌حقیقت دیده‌‌ای ** یا ز گاف و لام گل گل چیده‌‌ای‌‌

Hast thou ever seen a name without the reality (denoted by the name)? Or hast thou plucked a rose (gul) from the (letters) gáf and lám of (the word) gul?

اسم خواندی رو مسمی را بجو ** مه به بالا دان نه اندر آب جو

Thou hast pronounced the name: go, seek the thing named. Know that the moon is on high, not in the water of the stream.

گر ز نام و حرف خواهی بگذری ** پاک کن خود را ز خود هین یک سری‌‌

If thou wouldst pass beyond name and letter, oh, make thyself wholly purged of self.

همچو آهن ز آهنی بی‌‌رنگ شو ** در ریاضت آینه‌‌ی بی‌‌زنگ شو

Like (polished) iron, lose the ferruginous colour; become in thy ascetic discipline (like) a mirror without rust.

خویش را صافی کن از اوصاف خود ** تا ببینی ذات پاک صاف خود 3460

Make thyself pure from the attributes of self, that thou mayst behold thine own pure untarnished essence,

بینی اندر دل علوم انبیا ** بی‌‌کتاب و بی‌‌معید و اوستا

And behold within thy heart (all) the sciences of the prophets, without book and without preceptor and master.

گفت پیغمبر که هست از امتم ** کاو بود هم گوهر و هم همتم‌‌

The Prophet said, “Amongst my people are some who are one with me in nature and aspiration:

مر مرا ز آن نور بیند جانشان ** که من ایشان را همی‌‌بینم بدان‌‌

Their spirits behold me by the same light by which I am beholding them.”

بی‌‌صحیحین و احادیث و رواه ** بلکه اندر مشرب آب حیات‌‌

Without the two Sahíhs and Traditions and Traditionists; nay, (they behold him) in the place where they drink the Water of Life.

سر امسینا لکردیا بدان ** راز اصبحنا عرابیا بخوان‌‌ 3465

Know the secret of “In the evening I was a Kurd”; read the mystery of “In the morning I was an Arab.”

ور مثالی خواهی از علم نهان ** قصه گو از رومیان و چینیان‌‌

And if you desire a parable of the hidden knowledge, relate the story of the Greeks and the Chinese.

قصه‌‌ی مری کردن رومیان و چینیان در علم نقاشی و صورتگری‌‌

The story of the contention between the Greeks and the Chinese in the art of painting and picturing.

چینیان گفتند ما نقاش‌‌تر ** رومیان گفتند ما را کر و فر

The Chinese said, “We are the better artists”; the Greeks said, “The (superiority in) power and excellence belongs to us.”

گفت سلطان امتحان خواهم در این ** کز شماها کیست در دعوی گزین‌‌

“I will put you to the test in this matter,” said the Sultan, “(and see) which of you are approved in your claim.”

اهل چین و روم چون حاضر شدند ** رومیان از بحث در مکث آمدند

When the Chinese and the Greeks presented themselves, the Greeks were more skilled in the knowledge (of the art of painting).

چینیان گفتند یک خانه به ما ** خاص بسپارید و یک آن شما 3470

(Then) the Chinese said, “Hand over to us a particular room, and (let there be) one for you (as well).”

بود دو خانه مقابل دربدر ** ز آن یکی چینی ستد رومی دگر

There were two rooms with door facing door: the Chinese took one, the Greeks the other.

چینیان صد رنگ از شه خواستند ** پس خزینه باز کرد آن ارجمند

The Chinese requested the King to give them a hundred colours: then that excellent (king) opened the treasury.

هر صباحی از خزینه رنگها ** چینیان را راتبه بود از عطا

Every morning, by (his) bounty, the colours were dispensed from the treasury to the Chinese.