غصه‌ها زندان شدست و چارمیخ ** غصه بیخست و بروید شاخ بیخ
The pangs have become prison and the cross (crucifixion): the pang is (as) the root, and the root produces boughs.
بیخ پنهان بود هم شد آشکار ** قبض و بسط اندرون بیخی شمار360
The root was hidden, it is (now) revealed. Consider (your) inward contraction and expansion as a root.
چونک بیخ بد بود زودش بزن ** تا نروید زشت‌خاری در چمن
When it is a bad root, smite it quickly, so that an ugly thorn may not grow in the garden.
قبض دیدی چاره‌ی آن قبض کن ** زانک سرها جمله می‌روید ز بن
You have felt the contraction: seek a remedy for it, because all heads (excrescences) grow from the bottom (root).
بسط دیدی بسط خود را آب ده ** چون بر آید میوه با اصحاب ده
You have felt the expansion: water your expansion, and when the fruit appears, give it to your friends.
باقی قصه‌ی اهل سبا
The remainder of the Story of the people of Saba.
آن سبا ز اهل صبا بودند و خام ** کارشان کفران نعمت با کرام
Saba were folk given over to dalliance and foolish; ‘twas their practice to show ingratitude to the generous.
باشد آن کفران نعمت در مثال ** که کنی با محسن خود تو جدال365
By was of illustration, it would be ingratitude to dispute with your benefactor,
که نمی‌باید مرا این نیکوی ** من برنجم زین چه رنجم می‌شوی
Saying, “O do not want this kindness, I am annoyed by it: why art thou troubling me?
لطف کن این نیکوی را دور کن ** من نخواهم چشم زودم کور کن
Do (me) a favour, take away this kindness; I do not desire an eye: blind me at once!”
پس سبا گفتند باعد بیننا ** شیننا خیر لنا خذ زیننا
Hence the people of Saba said, “ (O Lord), put a far distance between us: our blemish is better for us, take away our adornment.
ما نمی‌خواهیم این ایوان و باغ ** نه زنان خوب و نه امن و فراغ
We do not desire these palaces and orchards, nor fair women nor that safety and ease (which we now enjoy).
شهرها نزدیک همدیگر بدست ** آن بیابانست خوش کانجا ددست370
Towns near to each other are bad; the desert, where the wild beasts are, is good.”
یطلب الانسان فی الصیف الشتا ** فاذا جاء الشتا انکر ذا
Man craves winter in summer, and when winter comes, he likes it not,
فهو لا یرضی بحال ابدا ** لا بضیق لا بعیش رغدا
For he is never content with any state (of things), neither with poverty nor with a life of plenty
قتل الانسان ما اکفره ** کلما نال هدی انکره
May Man be killed! How ungrateful he is!Whenever he obtains guidance, he spurns it.
نفس زین سانست زان شد کشتنی ** اقتلوا انفسکم گفت آن سنی
The carnal soul is of this sort, hence it ought to be killed : that Exalted One hath said, “Kill yourselves.”
خار سه سویست هر چون کش نهی ** در خلد وز زخم او تو کی جهی375
It is a triagonal thorn: however you may place it, it will pierce, and how will you escape from its stab?
آتش ترک هوا در خار زن ** دست اندر یار نیکوکار زن
Set the thorn on fire with renunciation of sensual passion, and cling to the righteous friend.
چون ز حد بردند اصحاب سبا ** که بپیش ما وبا به از صبا
When the people of Saba carried (their ingratitude) beyond bounds, saying, “In our opinion, pestilence is better than the zephyr,”
ناصحانشان در نصیحت آمدند ** از فسوق و کفر مانع می‌شدند
Their counselors began to admonish (them) and restrain (them) from impiety and ingratitude;
قصد خون ناصحان می‌داشتند ** تخم فسق و کافری می‌کاشتند
(But) they sought to take the lives of their counselors, and sowed the seed of impiety and unthankfulness.
چون قضا آید شود تنگ این جهان ** از قضا حلوا شود رنج دهان380
When the (Divine) decree comes to pass, this (whole) world becomes cramped (so that there is no escape); by the (Divine) decree sweetmeat becomes anguish to the mouth.
گفت اذا جاء القضا ضاق الفضا ** تحجب الابصار اذ جاء القضا
He ( the Prophet) said, “When the Decree comes, the (widest) expanse is narrow; when the Decree comes, the eyes are veiled.”
چشم بسته می‌شود وقت قضا ** تا نبیند چشم کحل چشم را
The eye is bandaged at the time if the Decree, so that the eye does not see the eye’s collyrium.
مکر آن فارس چو انگیزید گرد ** آن غبارت ز استغاثت دور کرد
When the cunning of that Horseman has raised the dust, the dust keeps thee off from calling for aid.