مرغ مرده مضطر اندر وصل و بین ** خواندهای القلب بین اصبعین
The dead bird is compelled (deprived of volition) in respect of being united or separated: you have read (the Hadíth), “The heart is between two fingers (of the Merciful God).”
مرغ مردهش را هر آنک شد شکار ** چون ببیند شد شکار شهریار
Every one that has fallen a prey to His dead bird (will perceive), when he sees (the truth), (that) he has fallen a prey to the King.
هر که او زین مرغ مرده سر بتافت ** دست آن صیاد را هرگز نیافت
Whoever turned his head away from this dead bird never gained the hand of that Hunter.
گوید او منگر به مرداری من ** عشق شه بین در نگهداری من
It (the dead bird) says, “Do not regard my being a carcase: see the King's love (shown) in preserving me.
من نه مردارم مرا شه کشته است ** صورت من شبه مرده گشته است1060
I am not a carcase: the King hath killed me: my appearance has become like (that of) the dead.
جنبشم زین پیش بود از بال و پر ** جنبشم اکنون ز دست دادگر
My former motion was by means of wing and pinion: now my motion proceeds from the hand of the (Divine) Judge.
جنبش فانیم بیرون شد ز پوست ** جنبشم باقیست اکنون چون ازوست
My perishable motion has gone forth from my skin: now my motion is everlasting, since it proceeds from Him.
هر که کژ جنبد به پیش جنبشم ** گرچه سیمرغست زارش میکشم
If any one move crookedly (misbehave) in the presence of my motion, I will kill him miserably, (even) though he is the Símurgh.
هین مرا مرده مبین گر زندهای ** در کف شاهم نگر گر بندهای
Beware! If thou art (spiritually) alive, do not deem me dead; if thou art a (devoted) slave (of God), regard me (as being) in the hand of the King.
مرده زنده کرد عیسی از کرم ** من به کف خالق عیسی درم1065
Jesus, by his grace, made the dead to be living: I am in the hand of the Creator of Jesus.
کی بمانم مرده در قبضهی خدا ** بر کف عیسی مدار این هم روا
How should I remain dead in the grasp of God? Likewise, do not hold this to be possible in (the case of) the hand of ‘Jesus.’
عیسیام لیکن هر آنکو یافت جان ** از دم من او بماند جاودان
I am ‘Jesus’; but every one that hath gained life from (been revived by) my breath will remain unto everlasting.
شد ز عیسی زنده لیکن باز مرد ** شاد آنکو جان بدین عیسی سپرد
He (the dead man) was made living by Jesus, but died again. Happy is he that gave up his life to this ‘Jesus.’
من عصاام در کف موسی خویش ** موسیم پنهان و من پیدا به پیش
I am the staff in the hand of my ‘Moses’: my ‘Moses’ is hidden, while I am visible in presence.
بر مسلمانان پل دریا شوم ** باز بر فرعون اژدها شوم1070
For the true believers I become a bridge across the sea; for Pharaoh, again, I become a dragon.”
این عصا را ای پسر تنها مبین ** که عصا بیکف حق نبود چنین
O son, do not regard this staff alone, for the staff would not be like this without the hand of God.
موج طوفان هم عصا بد کو ز درد ** طنطنهی جادوپرستان را بخورد
The waves of the Flood too were a staff which, from being aggrieved, devoured the pomp of the votaries of magic.
گر عصاهای خدا را بشمرم ** زرق این فرعونیان را بر درم
If I should enumerate the staves of God, I should tear to pieces (expose and confound) the hypocrisy of these followers of Pharaoh;
لیک زین شیرین گیای زهرمند ** ترک کن تا چند روزی میچرند
But leave them to browse on this sweet poisonous grass for a few days.
گر نباشد جاه فرعون و سری ** از کجا یابد جهنم پروری1075
If there be not the power and dominion of Pharaoh, whence shall Hell obtain nutriment?
فربهش کن آنگهش کش ای قصاب ** زانک بیبرگاند در دوزخ کلاب
Fatten him, then kill him, O Butcher; for the dogs in Hell are without food.
گر نبودی خصم و دشمن در جهان ** پس بمردی خشم اندر مردمان
If there were no adversary and enemy in the world, then the anger in men would die.
دوزخ آن خشمست خصمی بایدش ** تا زید ور نی رحیمی بکشدش
That anger is Hell: it needs an adversary that it may live; else Mercy would kill it.
پس بماندی لطف بیقهر و بدی ** پس کمال پادشاهی کی بدی
Then clemency would remain without any vengeance or evil: then how would the perfection of Kingship be (manifested)?
ریشخندی کردهاند آن منکران ** بر مثلها و بیان ذاکران1080
Those disbelievers have made a laughing-stock of the parables and clear exposition of them that glorify (God).