ای بسا مرغی ز معده وز مغص ** بر کنار بام محبوس قفص
Oh, many the bird that, through its belly (appetite) and pangs of hunger, was made captive in a cage on the edge of a terrace!
ای بسا ماهی در آب دوردست ** گشته از حرص گلو ماخوذ شست1695
Oh, many the fish that, because of its gullet’s greed, was caught by a hook in water hard to reach!
ای بسا مستور در پرده بده ** شومی فرج و گلو رسوا شده
Oh, many the chaste (woman) in a curtained bower that was brought to open shame by the misfortune of lust and gluttony! [Oh, many the chaste (woman) in a curtained bower that was brought to open shame by the misfortune of (her) vulva and throat!]
ای بسا قاضی حبر نیک‌خو ** از گلو و رشوتی او زردرو
Oh, many the learned and honest judge that was disgraced by greed and bribery!
بلک در هاروت و ماروت آن شراب ** از عروج چرخشان شد سد باب
Nay, in the case of Hárút and Márút that wine (of lust) debarred them from ascending to Heaven.
با یزید از بهر این کرد احتراز ** دید در خود کاهلی اندر نماز
On this account Báyazíd took precaution: he observed in himself remissness in (the performance of) the ritual prayer.
از سبب اندیشه کرد آن ذو لباب ** دید علت خوردن بسیار از آب1700
(When) that possessor of the marrow (of spiritual knowledge) meditated concerning the cause, he perceived that the cause was (too) much water-drinking.
گفت تا سالی نخواهم خورد آب ** آنچنان کرد و خدایش داد تاب
He said, “For a year I will not drink water.” He acted accordingly, and God bestowed on him the power (to abstain).
این کمینه جهد او بد بهر دین ** گشت او سلطان و قطب العارفین
This was his least penance for the Religion’s sake: he became a (spiritual) sultan and the Pole of the Gnostics.
چون بریده شد برای حلق دست ** مرد زاهد را در شکوی ببست
Since the ascetic’s hand had been cut off by reason of his gullet (appetite), he closed the door of complaint.
شیخ اقطع گشت نامش پیش خلق ** کرد معروفش بدین آفات حلق
His name amongst the people came to be Shaykh Aqta’:the calamities (which he suffered because) of his gullet made him well-known by this (name).
کرامات شیخ اقطع و زنبیل بافتن او بدو دست
The miraculous gifts of Shaykh Aqta’, and how he used to weave palm-leaf baskets with both hands.
در عریش او را یکی زایر بیافت ** کو بهر دو دست می زنبیل بافت1705
A visitor found him in his hut, (and saw) that he was weaving a basket with both hands.
گفت او را ای عدو جان خویش ** در عریشم آمده سر کرده پیش
He (the Shaykh) said to him, “O enemy of thine own life, who hast come putting thy head into my hut.
این چراکردی شتاب اندر سباق ** گفت از افراط مهر و اشتیاق
Why hast thou made such hot haste?” He replied, “From excess of love and longing.”
پس تبسم کرد و گفت اکنون بیا ** لیک مخفی دار این را ای کیا
Then he (the Shaykh) smiled and said, “Now come in, but keep this (thing) secret, O noble sir.
تا نمیرم من مگو این با کسی ** نه قرینی نه حبیبی نه خسی
Till I die, do not tell this to any one, neither to a comrade nor to a beloved nor to a worthless fellow.”
بعد از آن قومی دگر از روزنش ** مطلع گشتند بر بافیدنش1710
Afterwards other folk, (looking) through his window, became acquainted with his weaving.
گفت حکمت را تو دانی کردگار ** من کنم پنهان تو کردی آشکار
He said, “O Creator, Thou knowest the wisdom (the purpose in this). I conceal (my secret), Thou hast revealed it.”
آمد الهامش که یکچندی بدند ** که درین غم بر تو منکر می‌شدند
The Divine inspiration came to him: “There were a number of people who were beginning to disbelieve in thee in (consequence of) this affliction,
که مگر سالوس بود او در طریق ** که خدا رسواش کرد اندر فریق
Saying, ‘Perchance he was a hypocrite in the Way (of God), so that God made him infamous among humankind.’
من نخواهم کان رمه کافر شوند ** در ضلالت در گمان بد روند
I don not wish that that party should become infidels and in thinking evil (of thee) fall into perdition;
این کرامت را بکردیم آشکار ** که دهیمت دست اندر وقت کار1715
(Hence) We divulged this miracle- (namely), that We give thee a hand in thy working-time-
تا که آن بیچارگان بد گمان ** رد نگردند از جناب آسمان
To the end that these wretched evil-thinking men may not be turned back from the Lord of Heaven.
من ترا بی این کرامتها ز پیش ** خود تسلی دادمی از ذات خویش
Erstwhile, indeed, without these miracles I was giving thee consolation from My Person;
این کرامت بهر ایشان دادمت ** وین چراغ از بهر آن بنهادمت
This miracle I have given thee for their sake, and on that account have I bestowed on thee this (spiritual) lamp.