بر لب جو برد ظنی یک فتا ** که سلیمان است ماهی‌‌گیر ما

A young man on the bank of a river thought (to himself), “Our fisherman (here) is Solomon.

گر وی است این از چه فرد است و خفی است ** ور نه سیمای سلیمانیش چیست‌‌

(But) if this is he, why is he alone and disguised? And if not, why has he the aspect of Solomon?”

اندر این اندیشه می‌‌بود او دو دل ** تا سلیمان گشت شاه و مستقل‌‌ 3620

Thus thinking, he remained in two minds until Solomon (once more) became king and absolute ruler.

دیو رفت از ملک و تخت او گریخت ** تیغ بختش خون آن شیطان بریخت‌‌

The demon departed and fled from his (Solomon's) kingdom and throne: the sword of his fortune shed that devil's blood.

کرد در انگشت خود انگشتری ** جمع آمد لشکر دیو و پری‌‌

He put the ring upon his finger, the hosts of demons and peris assembled.

آمدند از بهر نظاره رجال ** در میانشان آن که بد صاحب خیال‌‌

The men came to look, amongst them he who had the fancy (that the fisherman was Solomon in disguise).

چون در انگشتش بدید انگشتری ** رفت اندیشه و تحری یک سری‌‌

When he saw the ring on his finger, his perplexity and doubt vanished all at once.

وهم آن گاه است کان پوشیده است ** این تحری از پی نادیده است‌‌ 3625

Imagination occurs (only) at the time when that (object of desire) is hidden: this searching is after the unseen.

شد خیال غایب اندر سینه زفت ** چون که حاضر شد خیال او برفت‌‌

Whilst he was absent, fancy waxed strong in his breast: as soon as he was present, his fancy departed.

گر سمای نور بی‌‌باریده نیست ** هم زمین تار بی‌‌بالیده نیست‌‌

If the radiant sky is not without rain, neither is the dark earth without vegetation.

يؤمنون بالغيب می‌‌باید مرا ** ز آن ببستم روزن فانی سرا

(God said), “I want (what is signified by the words) they believe in the unseen: on that account I have shut the window of the fleeting world.

چون شکافم آسمان را در ظهور ** چون بگویم هل تری فیها فطور

When (if) I cleave the sky manifestly, how should I say, ‘Dost thou see any clefts therein?’”

تا در این ظلمت تحری گسترند ** هر کسی رو جانبی می‌‌آورند 3630

In order that in this darkness they may spread (the carpet of) endeavour, they are turning, every one, their faces in some direction.

مدتی معکوس باشد کارها ** شحنه را دزد آورد بر دارها

For awhile things are reversed: the thief brings the magistrate to the gallows,

تا که بس سلطان و عالی همتی ** بنده‌‌ی بنده‌‌ی خود آید مدتی‌‌

So that many a sultan and man of lofty spirit becomes the slave of his own slave for awhile.

بندگی در غیب آید خوب و گش ** حفظ غیب آید در استعباد خوش‌‌

Service (performed) in absence (through faith in the unseen) is fair and comely; when service is demanded (by God from us), ‘tis pleasing (to Him) that the absent should be remembered (that we should remember to perform what is due to Him, though He is unseen).

کو که مدح شاه گوید پیش او ** تا که در غیبت بود او شرم رو

Where (in what position) is one that praises the king in his presence, compared with one that is shamefaced in absence (from him)?

قلعه داری کز کنار مملکت ** دور از سلطان و سایه‌‌ی سلطنت‌‌ 3635

The governor of a fortress who, on the border of the kingdom, far from the sultan and the shadow (protection) of the sultanate,

پاس دارد قلعه را از دشمنان ** قلعه نفروشد به مال بی‌‌کران‌‌

Guards the fortress from enemies and will not sell it for boundless riches,

غایب از شه در کنار ثغرها ** همچو حاضر او نگه دارد وفا

Who, though absent from the king on the outskirt of the frontiers, keeps faith (with him) like one who is present—

پیش شه او به بود از دیگران ** که به خدمت حاضرند و جان فشان‌‌

He in the king's sight is better than the rest who are serving in his presence and ready to devote their lives.

پس به غیبت نیم ذره‌‌ی حفظ کار ** به که اندر حاضری ز آن صد هزار

Therefore half an atom of regard to one's duty in absence is better than a hundred thousand fold observance thereof in presence.

طاعت و ایمان کنون محمود شد ** بعد مرگ اندر عیان مردود شد 3640

Obedience (to God) and faith are praiseworthy now; after death, when all is plainly shown, they will be spurned.

چون که غیب و غایب و رو پوش به ** پس لبان بر بند لب خاموش به‌‌

“Inasmuch as the unseen and the absent and the veil are better, close thy lips, and the lip is better silent.

ای برادر دست وا دار از سخن ** خود خدا پیدا کند علم لدن‌‌

O brother, refrain from speech: God himself will make manifest the knowledge that is with Him (in His possession).