The seeds of dissension which he (the vizier) had sown had become a calamity (cause of destruction) to their heads.
جوزها بشکست و آن کان مغز داشت ** بعد کشتن روح پاک نغز داشت
The walnuts (bodies) were broken, and those which had the kernel had, after being slain, a spirit pure and fair.
کشتن و مردن که بر نقش تن است ** چون انار و سیب را بشکستن است
Slaughter and death which befalls the bodily frame is like breaking pomegranates and apples:
آن چه شیرین است او شد ناردانگ ** و آن که پوسیده ست نبود غیر بانگ
That which is sweet becomes pomegranate-syrup, and that which is rotten is naught but noise:
آن چه با معنی است خود پیدا شود ** و آن چه پوسیده ست او رسوا شود
That which has reality is made manifest (after death), and that which is rotten is put to shame.
رو به معنی کوش ای صورت پرست ** ز آن که معنی بر تن صورت پر است710
Go, strive after reality, O worshipper of form, inasmuch as reality is the wing on form's body.
همنشین اهل معنی باش تا ** هم عطا یابی و هم باشی فتا
Consort with the followers of reality, that you may both win the gift and be generous (in giving yourself up to God).
جان بیمعنی در این تن بیخلاف ** هست همچون تیغ چوبین در غلاف
Beyond dispute, in this body the spirit devoid of reality is even as a wooden sword in the sheath:
تا غلاف اندر بود با قیمت است ** چون برون شد سوختن را آلت است
Whilst it remains in the sheath, it is (apparently) valuable, (but) when it has come forth it is an implement (only fit) for burning.
تیغ چوبین را مبر در کارزار ** بنگر اول تا نگردد کار زار
Do not take a wooden sword into the battle! First see (whether your sword is a real one), in order that your plight may not be wretched.
گر بود چوبین برو دیگر طلب ** ور بود الماس پیش آ با طرب715
If it is made of wood, go, seek another; and if it is adamant, march forward joyously.
تیغ در زرادخانهی اولیاست ** دیدن ایشان شما را کیمیاست
The sword (of reality) is in the armoury of the saints: to see (and associate with) them is for you (as precious as) the Elixir.
جمله دانایان همین گفته همین ** هست دانا رحمة للعالمین
All the wise have said this same thing: the wise man is a (Divine) mercy to created beings.
گر اناری میخری خندان بخر ** تا دهد خنده ز دانهی او خبر
If you would buy a pomegranate, buy (it when it is) laughing (having its rind cleft open), so that its laughter (openness) may give information as to its seeds.
ای مبارک خندهاش کاو از دهان ** مینماید دل چو در از درج جان
Oh, blessed is its laughter, for through its mouth it shows the heart, like a pearl from the casket of the spirit.
نامبارک خندهی آن لاله بود ** کز دهان او سیاهی دل نمود720
Unblest was the laughter (openness) of the red anemone, from whose mouth appeared the blackness of its heart.
نار خندان باغ را خندان کند ** صحبت مردانت از مردان کند
The laughing pomegranate makes the garden laughing (gay and blooming): companionship with (holy) men makes you one of the (holy) men.
گر تو سنگ صخره و مرمر شوی ** چون به صاحب دل رسی گوهر شوی
Though you be rock or marble, you will become a jewel when you reach the man of heart (the saint).