گفت قبطی تو دعایی کن که من ** از سیاهی دل ندارم آن دهن
The Egyptian said, “Do thou offer a prayer (for me), since from blackness of heart I have not the mouth (fit for offering an acceptable prayer),
که بود که قفل این دل وا شود ** زشت را در بزم خوبان جا شود3495
For it may be that the lock of this heart will be opened and that a place will be (granted) to this ugly one at the banquet of the beauteous.
مسخی از تو صاحب خوبی شود ** یا بلیسی باز کروبی شود
Through thee the deformed may become endowed with beauty, or an Iblís may again become one of the Cherubim;
یا بفر دست مریم بوی مشک ** یابد و تری و میوه شاخ خشک
Or, by the august influence of Mary's hand, the withered bough may acquire the fragrance of musk and freshness and fruit.”
سبطی آن دم در سجود افتاد و گفت ** کای خدای عالم جهر و نهفت
Thereupon the Israelite fell to worship and said, “O God who knowest the manifest and the hidden,
جز تو پیش کی بر آرد بنده دست ** هم دعا و هم اجابت از توست
To whom but Thee should Thy servant lift his hand? Both the prayer and the answer (to prayer) are from Thee.
هم ز اول تو دهی میل دعا ** تو دهی آخر دعاها را جزا3500
Thou at first givest the desire for prayer, and Thou at last givest likewise the recompense for prayers.
اول و آخر توی ما در میان ** هیچ هیچی که نیاید در بیان
Thou art the First and the Last: we between are nothing, a nothing that does not come into (admit of) expression.”
این چنین می‌گفت تا افتاد طشت ** از سر بام و دلش بیهوش گشت
He was speaking in this wise, till he fell into ecstasy and his heart became senseless.
باز آمد او به هوش اندر دعا ** لیس للانسان الا ما سعی
(Whilst engaged) in prayer, he came back to his senses (and witnessed the effect of his prayer): Man shall have nothing but what he hath wrought.
در دعا بود او که ناگه نعره‌ای ** از دل قبطی بجست و غره‌ای
He was (still) praying when suddenly a loud cry and roar burst from the heart of the Egyptian,
که هلا بشتاب و ایمان عرضه کن ** تا ببرم زود زنار کهن3505
(Who exclaimed), “Come, make haste and submit (the profession of) the Faith (for my acceptance), that I may quickly cut the old girdle (of unbelief).
آتشی در جان من انداختند ** مر بلیسی را به جان بنواختند
They have cast a fire into my heart, they have shown affection with (all) their soul for an Iblís (like me).
دوستی تو و از تو ناشکفت ** حمدلله عاقبت دستم گرفت
Praise be to God! Thy friendship and (my) not being able to do without thee have succoured me at last.
کیمیایی بود صحبتهای تو ** کم مباد از خانه‌ی دل پای تو
My consortings with thee were (as) an elixir: may thy foot never disappear from the house of my heart!
تو یکی شاخی بدی از نخل خلد ** چون گرفتم او مرا تا خلد برد
Thou wert a bough of the palm-tree of Paradise: when I grasped it, it bore me to Paradise.
سیل بود آنک تنم را در ربود ** برد سیلم تا لب دریای جود3510
That which carried away my body was a torrent: the torrent bore me to the brink of the Sea of Bounty.
من به بوی آب رفتم سوی سیل ** بحر دیدم در گرفتم کیل کیل
I went towards the torrent in hope of (obtaining) water: I beheld the Sea and took pearls, bushel on bushel.”
طاس آوردش که اکنون آب‌گیر ** گفت رو شد آبها پیشم حقیر
He (the Israelite) brought the cup to him, saying, “Now take the water!” “Go,” he replied; “(all) waters have become despicable in my sight.
شربتی خوردم ز الله اشتری ** تا به محشر تشنگی ناید مرا
I have drunk such a draught from God hath purchased that no thirst will come to me till the Congregation (at the Last Judgement).
آنک جوی و چشمه‌ها را آب داد ** چشمه‌ای در اندرون من گشاد
He who gave water to the rivers and fountains hath opened a fountain within me.
این جگر که بود گرم و آب‌خوار ** گشت پیش همت او آب خوار3515
This heart, which was hot and water-drinking—to its high aspiration water has become vile.
کاف کافی آمد او بهر عباد ** صدق وعده‌ی کهیعص
He (God), for the sake of His servants, became (symbolised by) the (letter) káf of Káfí (All-sufficing), (in token of) the truth of the promise of Káf, Há, Yá, ‘Ayn, Sád.
کافیم بدهم ترا من جمله خیر ** بی‌سبب بی‌واسطه‌ی یاری غیر
(God saith), ‘I am All-sufficing: I will give thee all good, without (the intervention of) a secondary cause, without the mediation of another's aid.