Though opinion run with its own feet for (many) years, it will not pass beyond the cleft of its own nostrils.
تا به بینی نایدت از غیب بو ** غیر بینی هیچ می‌‌بینی بگو
Until the scent from the Unseen shall come to your nose, say, will you see anything except your nose?
سوال کردن آن کافر از امیر المومنین علی علیه السلام که بر چون منی مظفر شدی شمشیر را از دست چون انداختی // پس بگفت آن نومسلمان ولی ** از سر مستی و لذت با علی
How that infidel asked 'Ali, may God honour his person, saying, "Since thou wert victorious over such a man,as I am, how didst thou drop the sword from thy hand?" // Then that devoted friend, who had been newly converted to Islam, in his enthusiasm and delight said to 'Ali,
که بفرما یا امیر المومنین.** تا بجنبد جان به تن در چون جنین
He said, "Speak, O Prince of the Faithful, that my soul may stir within my body, like the embryo."
هفت اختر هر جنین را مدتی ** می‌‌کنند ای جان به نوبت خدمتی
O (dear) soul, the seven planets, (each) in turn, do a (particular) service for a time to every embryo.
چون که وقت آید که جان گیرد جنین ** آفتابش آن زمان گردد معین3775
When the time comes for the embryo to receive the (vital) spirit, at that time the sun becomes its helper.
این جنین در جنبش آید ز آفتاب ** کافتابش جان همی‌‌بخشد شتاب
This embryo is brought into movement by the sun, for the sun is quickly endowing it with spirit.
از دگر انجم بجز نقشی نیافت ** این جنین تا آفتابش بر نتافت
From the other stars this embryo received only an impression, until the sun shone upon it.
از کدامین ره تعلق یافت او ** در رحم با آفتاب خوب رو
By which way did it become connected in the womb with the beauteous sun?
از ره پنهان که دور از حس ماست ** آفتاب چرخ را بس راههاست
By the hidden way that is remote from our sense-perception. The sun in heaven hath many ways:
آن رهی که زر بیابد قوت از او ** و آن رهی که سنگ شد یاقوت از او3780
The way whereby gold receives nourishment, and the way whereby the (common) stone is made a jacinth,
آن رهی که سرخ سازد لعل را ** و آن رهی که برق بخشد نعل را
And the way whereby it makes the ruby red, and the way whereby it gives the lightning-flash to the (iron) horse-shoe,
آن رهی که پخته سازد میوه را ** و آن رهی که دل دهد کالیوه را
And the way whereby it ripens the fruit, and the way whereby it gives heart to one distraught (with fear).
باز گو ای باز پر افروخته ** با شه و با ساعدش آموخته
“Say it forth, O falcon with shining wings who hast learned (to be familiar) with the King and with his fore-arm.
باز گو ای باز عنقا گیر شاه ** ای سپاه اشکن به خود نی با سپاه
Say it forth, O royal falcon that dost catch the ‘Anqá, O thou that dost vanquish an army by thyself, not with (the aid of) an army.
امت وحدی یکی و صد هزار ** باز گو ای بنده بازت را شکار3785
Thou alone art the (whole) community, thou art one and a hundred thousand. Say it forth, O thou to whose falcon thy slave has fallen a prey.
در محل قهر این رحمت ز چیست ** اژدها را دست‌‌دادن راه کیست
Wherefore this mercy in the place of vengeance? Whose way is it to give the hand to a dragon?”
جواب گفتن امیر المؤمنین که سبب افکندن شمشیر از دست چه بود در آن حالت
How the Prince of the Faithful made answer (and explained) what was the reason of his dropping the sword from his hand on that occasion.
گفت من تیغ از پی حق می‌‌زنم ** بنده‌‌ی حقم نه مأمور تنم
He said, “I am wielding the sword for God's sake, I am the servant of God, I am not under the command of the body.
شیر حقم نیستم شیر هوا ** فعل من بر دین من باشد گوا
I am the Lion of God, I am not the lion of passion: my deed bears witness to my religion.
ما رمیت إذ رمیتم در حراب ** من چو تیغم و آن زننده آفتاب
In war I am (manifesting the truth of) thou didst not throw when thou threwest: I am (but) as the sword, and the wielder is the (Divine) Sun.
رخت خود را من ز ره برداشتم ** غیر حق را من عدم انگاشتم3790
I have removed the baggage of self out of the way, I have deemed (what is) other than God to be non-existence.
سایه‌‌ام من کدخدایم آفتاب ** حاجبم من نیستم او را حجاب
I am a shadow, the Sun is my lord; I am the chamberlain, I am not the curtain (which prevents approach) to Him.
من چو تیغم پر گهرهای وصال ** زنده گردانم نه کشته در قتال
I am filled with the pearls of union, like a (jewelled) sword: in battle I make (men) living, not slain.
خون نپوشد گوهر تیغ مرا ** باد از جا کی برد میغ مرا
Blood does not cover the sheen of my sword: how should the wind sweep away my clouds?
که نیم کوهم ز حلم و صبر و داد ** کوه را کی در رباید تند باد
I am not a straw, I am a mountain of forbearance and patience and justice: how should the fierce wind carry off the mountain?”
آن که از بادی رود از جا خسی است ** ز آن که باد ناموافق خود بسی است3795
That which is removed from its place by a wind is rubbish, for indeed the contrary winds are many.