بانگ میآمد ز سوی هر درخت ** سوی ما آیید خلق شوربخت
From the direction of every tree was coming the cry, ‘Come towards us, O ye folk of evil fortune,’
بانگ میآمد ز غیرت بر شجر ** چشمشان بستیم کلا لا وزر
(While) from (the Divine) jealousy there was coming to the trees the cry, ‘We have bandaged their eyes;nay, there is no refuge.’
گر کسی میگفتشان کین سو روید ** تا ازین اشجار مستسعد شوید
If any one had said to them ‘Go in this direction, that ye may be made happy by these trees,’
جمله میگفتند کین مسکین مست ** از قضاء الله دیوانه شدست2020
They all would have said, ‘By Divine destiny this poor intoxicated wretch has become mad:
مغز این مسکین ز سودای دراز ** وز ریاضت گشت فاسد چون پیاز
Through long melancholy and through austerities the brain of this poor wretch has turned putrid, like an onion.’
او عجب میماند یا رب حال چیست ** خلق را این پرده و اضلال چیست
He would have remained in astonishment, saying, ‘O Lord, what is the matter? What is this veil (blindness) and misguidance that is upon the people?’
خلق گوناگون با صد رای و عقل ** یک قدم آن سو نمیآرند نقل
The people of every sort, (though endowed) with manifold discernment and understanding, do not move a foot in that direction.
عاقلان و زیرکانشان ز اتفاق ** گشته منکر زین چنین باغی و عاق
By one consent the intelligent and acute amongst them have become incredulous of such a garden as this and undutiful.
یا منم دیوانه و خیره شده ** دیو چیزی مرا مرا بر سر زده2025
Or have I become mad and crazy? Has the Devil cast something (of delusion) upon my head?
چشم میمالم بهر لحظه که من ** خواب میبینم خیال اندر زمن
At every moment I rub my eyes, (considering) whether I am dreaming and beholding a phantom in (the world of) time.
خواب چه بود بر درختان میروم ** میوههاشان میخورم چون نگروم
How can it be a dream? I go up the trees, I eat their fruit: how should I not believe?
باز چون من بنگرم در منکران ** که همیگیرند زین بستان کران
(But) again, when I look at the incredulous ones who turn aside from this orchard,
با کمال احتیاج و افتقار ** ز آرزوی نیم غوره جانسپار
Devoting their lives with the utmost indigence and penury because of their desire for half an unripe grape;
ز اشتیاق و حرص یک برگ درخت ** میزنند این بینوایان آه سخت2030
(When I see) these destitute folk uttering grievous lamentation in their longing and greed for a single leaf,
در هزیمت زین درخت و زین ثمار ** این خلایق صد هزار اندر هزار
(And when I see) these hundred thousands on thousands of people fleeing from this tree and these fruits—
باز میگویم عجب من بیخودم ** دست در شاخ خیالی در زدم
Once more I say, ‘Marvellous! Am I beside myself? Have I laid hold of a bough of phantasy?’”
حتی اذا ما استیاس الرسل بگو ** تا بظنوا انهم قد کذبوا
Repeat (the text)until when the Messengers (of God) despaired down to (the words) they thought they had been belied (kudhibú).
این قرائت خوان که تخفیف کذب ** این بود که خویش بیند محتجب
Recite (the verse) with this reading (kudhibú), for the omission of the tashdíd in kudhibú signifies that he (the Messenger) deems himself debarred (from receiving the promised aid from God).
در گمان افتاد جان انبیا ** ز اتفاق منکری اشقیا2035
The souls of the prophets fell into misgiving through the concurrence of disbelief (on the part) of the wicked;
جائهم بعد التشکک نصرنا ** ترکشان گو بر درخت جان بر آ
(But) Our aid came to them after (their) doubting. Take leave of them (the misguided people) and climb the tree of the spirit.
میخور و میده بدان کش روزیست ** هر دم و هر لحظه سحرآموزیست
Eat (of the fruit of this tree) and give it to every one that hath an allotted portion (thereof): at each moment and each instant there are lessons in (spiritual) magic (for him).
خلقگویان ای عجب این بانگ چیست ** چونک صحرا از درخت و بر تهیست
“The people are saying, ‘Oh, how wonderful! What is this cry?—since the wilderness is devoid of trees and fruit.
گیج گشتیم از دم سوداییان ** که به نزدیک شما باغست و خوان
We have been fooled by the words of the madmen (who tell us) that beside us there are gardens and trays (of fruit).
چشم میمالیم اینجا باغ نیست ** یا بیابانیست یا مشکل رهیست2040
We rub our eyes, (but) no garden is here; ‘tis either a desert or a difficult road.
ای عجب چندین دراز این گفت و گو ** چون بود بیهوده ور خود هست کو
Oh, how wonderful! This tale (related by the prophets and saints) is so long: how should it be vain? And if it really is (as they say), where (is that which they tell of)?’