من بترسانم وقیح یاوه را ** آنک ترسد من چه ترسانم ورا

I frighten the impudent man who has lost the (right) way: why should I frighten him who is afraid?

بهر دیگ سرد آذر می‌رود ** نه بدان کز جوش از سر می‌رود

Fire is used for the cold pot, not for that (pot) which is boiling over.

آمنان را من بترسانم به علم ** خایفان را ترس بردارم به حلم

I frighten the unafraid by (My) knowledge; I take away the fear of the afraid by (My) clemency.

پاره‌دوزم پاره در موضع نهم ** هر کسی را شربت اندر خور دهم 4385

I am a patcher: I put the patch in (its proper) place; I give drink to every one in due measure.”

هست سر مرد چون بیخ درخت ** زان بروید برگهاش از چوب سخت

A man’s inmost consciousness is like the root of a tree; hence his leaves grow from the hard wood.

درخور آن بیخ رسته برگها ** در درخت و در نفوس و در نهی

The leaves grow according to the root, in the tree and in souls and in minds.

برفلک پرهاست ز اشجار وفا ** اصلها ثابت و فرعه فی السما

From the trees of faithfulness there are wings (that soar) to heaven its root is fast (in the earth), and its branch is in the sky.

چون برست از عشق پر بر آسمان ** چون نروید در دل صدر جهان

Since through love grew the wing (that soars) to heaven, how should it not grow in the heart of the Sadr-i Jahán?

موج می‌زد در دلش عفو گنه ** که ز هر دل تا دل آمد روزنه 4390

Forgiveness of the sin was surging in his heart, for as much as there is a window from each heart to (every other) heart;

که ز دل تا دل یقین روزن بود ** نه جدا و دور چون دو تن بود

For assuredly there is a window from heart to heart: they are not separate and far (from each other), like two bodies.

متصل نبود سفال دو چراغ ** نورشان ممزوج باشد در مساغ

The earthenware (basins) of two lamps are not joined, but their light is mingled in (its) passage.

هیچ عاشق خود نباشد وصل‌جو ** که نه معشوقش بود جویای او

No lover, in sooth, is seeking union without his loved one seeking him;

لیک عشق عاشقان تن زه کند ** عشق معشوقان خوش و فربه کند

But the love of lovers makes the body (thin as) a bowstring, (while) the love of loved ones makes it comely and fat.

چون درین دل برق مهر دوست جست ** اندر آن دل دوستی می‌دان که هست 4395

When the lightning of love for the beloved has shot into this heart, know that there is love in that heart.

در دل تو مهر حق چون شد دوتو ** هست حق را بی گمانی مهر تو

When love for God has been doubled in thy heart, without any doubt God hath love for thee.

هیچ بانگ کف زدن ناید بدر ** از یکی دست تو بی دستی دگر

No sound of clapping comes forth from one hand of thine without the other hand.

تشنه می‌نالد که ای آب گوار ** آب هم نالد که کو آن آب‌خوار

The thirsty man is moaning, “O delicious water!” The water moans too, saying, “Where is the water-drinker?”

جذب آبست این عطش در جان ما ** ما از آن او و او هم آن ما

This thirst in our souls is the attraction exerted by the Water: we are Its, and It is ours.

حکمت حق در قضا و در قدر ** کرد ما را عاشقان همدگر 4400

The Wisdom of God in destiny and in decree made us lovers of one another.

جمله اجزای جهان زان حکم پیش ** جفت جفت و عاشقان جفت خویش

Because of that fore-ordainment all the particles of the world re paired as mates and are in love with their own mate.

هست هر جزوی ز عالم جفت‌خواه ** راست همچون کهربا و برگ کاه

Every particle of the universe is desiring its mate, just like amber and the blade of straw.

آسمان گوید زمین را مرحبا ** با توم چون آهن و آهن‌ربا

Heaven says to the earth, “Welcome! To thee I am (in the same relation) as the iron and the magnet.”

آسمان مرد و زمین زن در خرد ** هرچه آن انداخت این می‌پرورد

In (the view of) the intellect, heaven is man and the earth woman: whatever that (heaven) casts forth this (earth) fosters

چون نماند گرمیش بفرستد او ** چون نماند تری و نم بدهد او 4405

When it (the earth) hath no heat remaining, it (heaven) sends it; when no freshness and moisture remains, it bestows it.

برج خاکی خاک ارضی را مدد ** برج آبی تریش اندر دمد

The terrene sign (of the zodiac) is (supplying) replenishment to the dust of the earth; the aqueous sign produces freshness therein;