تا که ره بنمودن و اضلال حق ** فاش گردد بر همه اهل و فرق

So that God’s showing the way (to some) and letting (others) be lost may become evident to all the followers of religious sects.

چونک مقصود از وجود اظهار بود ** بایدش از پند و اغوا آزمود

Inasmuch as the object of existence was the manifestation (of these two Divine attributes), it must be tested by means of exhorting (to obedience) and leading astray.

دیو الحاح غوایت می‌کند ** شیخ‌الحاح هدایت می‌کند

The Devil persists to (seducing to) error; the Shaykh persists in guiding aright.

چون پیاپی گشت آن امر شجون ** نیل می‌آمد سراسر جمله خون 3590

When that grievous command (of God) proceeded step by step (pursued its course), the whole Nile was turned into blood from end to end,

تا بنفس خویش فرعون آمدش ** لابه می‌کردش دو تا گشته قدش

Till (at last) Pharaoh came in person to him (Moses), humbly entreating him, his tall figure bent double,

کانچ ما کردیم ای سلطان مکن ** نیست ما را روی ایراد سخن

And said, “O (spiritual) sovereign, do not that which we did we have not the face to offer words (of excuse).

پاره پاره گردمت فرمان‌پذیر ** من بعزت خوگرم سختم مگیر

I will become obedient to thy command with every bit (of my body); I am accustomed to be held in honour: do not deal hardly with me.

هین بجنبان لب به رحمت ای امین ** تا ببندد این دهانه‌ی آتشین

Hark, move thy lips in mercy, O trusted one, that it (thy prayer) may shut this fiery mouth (of Divine anger).”

گفت یا رب می‌فریبد او مرا ** می‌فریبد او فریبنده‌ی ترا 3595

He (Moses) said, “O Lord, he is deceiving me; he is deceiving Thy deceiver.

بشنوم یا من دهم هم خدعه‌اش ** تا بداند اصل را آن فرع‌کش

Shall I hearken (to him) or shall I too give him deceit (in return), in order that that puller of the branch may recognise the root?

که اصل هر مکری و حیلت پیش ماست ** هر چه بر خاکست اصلش از سماست

For the root (origin) of every cunning and contrivance is with use: whatsoever is on the earth, its root (origin) is from Heaven.”

گفت حق آن سگ نیرزد هم به آن ** پیش سگ انداز از دور استخوان

God said (to Moses), “That cur (Pharaoh) is not worth even that: fling a bone to the cur from a distance.

هین بجنبان آن عصا تا خاکها ** وا دهد هرچه ملخ کردش فنا

Hark, shake the rod, so that the sods may give back whatever the locusts have destroyed,

وان ملخها در زمان گردد سیاه ** تا ببیند خلق تبدیل اله 3600

And let the locusts immediately become black, that the people may behold the transformation wrought by God;

که سببها نیست حاجت مر مرا ** آن سبب بهر حجابست و غطا

For I have no need of means: those means are (only) for the purpose of (serving as) a screen and covering,

تا طبیعی خویش بر دارو زند ** تا منجم رو با ستاره کند

To the end that the natural philosopher may attach himself to the drug; and that the astronomer may turn his face to the star;

تا منافق از حریصی بامداد ** سوی بازار آید از بیم کساد

And that the hypocrite, from greed, may come to market at daybreak for fear of (finding) no demand for his wares,

بندگی ناکرده و ناشسته روی ** لقمه‌ی دوزخ بگشته لقمه‌جوی

Without having performed his devotions or washed his face (whilst) seeking morsels (for himself) he has become a morsel for Hell.”

آکل و ماکول آمد جان عام ** هم‌چو آن بره‌ی چرنده از حطام 3605

The spirit of the vulgar is devouring and being devoured, like the lamb that feeds on hay.

می‌چرد آن بره و قصاب شاد ** کو برای ما چرد برگ مراد

The lamb is feeding, while the butcher rejoices, saying, “For our sake it feeds on the grass of (its) desire.”

کار دوزخ می‌کنی در خوردنی ** بهر او خود را تو فربه می‌کنی

In respect of food and drink thou art doing the work of Hell thou art fattening thyself for its (Hell’s) sake.

کار خود کن روزی حکمت بچر ** تا شود فربه دل با کر و فر

Do thine own work, feed on the daily bread of Wisdom, that the glorious heart (spirit) may become fat.

خوردن تن مانع این خوردنست ** جان چو بازرگان و تن چون ره‌زنست

Bodily eating and drinking is the obstacle to this (spiritual) eating and drinking: the spirit is like a merchant, while the body is like a highwayman.

شمع تاجر آنگهست افروخته ** که بود ره‌زن چو هیزم سوخته 3610

(Only) at the time when the highwayman is consumed like firewood is the candle of the spirit resplendent;

که تو آن هوشی و باقی هوش‌پوش ** خویشتن را گم مکن یاوه مکوش

For thou art (in reality) that (spiritual) intelligence, and (all) the rest (of thee) is a mask concealing the intelligence. Do not lose thy (real) self, do not strive in vain!