می‌شد و صحرا ز نور شمع مرد ** چون بهشت از ظلمت شب گشته فرد
He was going (on his way), and by that man's candle-light the desert was isolated, like Paradise, from the darkness of night.
کرد مهمان خانه خانه‌ی خویش را ** از غم و از خجلت این ماجرا
He (the husband) made his house a guest-house in sorrow and shame for this (calamitous) event.
در درون هر دو از راه نهان ** هر زمان گفتی خیال میهمان
In the hearts of them both, (coming) by the hidden way, the phantom of the guest was saying continually,
که منم یار خضر صد گنج و جود ** می‌فشاندم لیک روزیتان نبود 3675
“I am the friend of Khadir: I would have scattered a hundred treasures of munificence (over you), but ’twas not your appointed portion.”
تمثیل فکر هر روزینه کی اندر دل آید به مهمان نو کی از اول روز در خانه فرود آید و فضیلت مهمان‌نوازی و ناز مهمان کشیدن و تحکم و بدخویی کند به خداوند خانه
Comparing the daily thoughts that come into the heart with the new guests who from the beginning of the day alight in the house and behave with arrogance and ill-temper towards the master of the house; and concerning the merit of treating the guest with kindness and of suffering his haughty airs patiently.
هر دمی فکری چو مهمان عزیز ** آید اندر سینه‌ات هر روز نیز
Every day, too, at every moment a (different) thought comes, like an honoured guest, into thy bosom.
فکر را ای جان به جای شخص دان ** زانک شخص از فکر دارد قدر و جان
O (dear) soul, regard thought as a person, since (every) person derives his worth from thought and spirit.
فکر غم گر راه شادی می‌زند ** کارسازیهای شادی می‌کند
If the thought of sorrow is waylaying (spoiling) joy, (yet) it is making preparations for joy.
خانه می‌روبد به تندی او ز غیر ** تا در آید شادی نو ز اصل خیر
It violently sweeps thy house clear of (all) else, in order that new joy from the source of good may enter in.
می‌فشاند برگ زرد از شاخ دل ** تا بروید برگ سبز متصل 3680
It scatters the yellow leaves from the bough of the heart, in order that incessant green leaves may grow.
می‌کند بیخ سرور کهنه را ** تا خرامد ذوق نو از ما ورا
It uproots the old joy, in order that new delight may march in from the Beyond.
غم کند بیخ کژ پوسیده را ** تا نماید بیخ رو پوشیده را
Sorrow pulls up the crooked rotten (root), in order that it may disclose the root that is veiled from sight.
غم ز دل هر چه بریزد یا برد ** در عوض حقا که بهتر آورد
Whatsoever (things) sorrow may cause to be shed from the heart or may take away (from it), assuredly it will bring better in exchange,
خاصه آن را که یقینش باشد این ** که بود غم بنده‌ی اهل یقین
Especially for him who knows with certainty (intuitively) that sorrow is the servant of the possessors of (intuitive) certainty.
گر ترش‌رویی نیارد ابر و برق ** رز بسوزد از تبسمهای شرق 3685
Unless the clouds and the lightning show a frowning aspect, the vines will be burnt by the smiles of the sun.
سعد و نحس اندر دلت مهمان شود ** چون ستاره خانه خانه می‌رود
Good and ill fortune become guests in thy heart: like the star (planet), they go from house to house.
آن زمان که او مقیم برج تست ** باش هم‌چون طالعش شیرین و چست
At the time when it (the auspicious or inauspicious star) is residing in thy mansion, adapt thyself to it and be agreeable, like its ascendant,
تا که با مه چون شود او متصل ** شکر گوید از تو با سلطان دل
So that, when it rejoins the Moon, it may speak gratefully of thee to the Lord of the heart.
هفت سال ایوب با صبر و رضا ** در بلا خوش بود با ضیف خدا
Job, the (prophet who was) patient and well-pleased (with God), showed sweetness to God's guest during seven years (spent) in tribulation,
تا چو وا گردد بلای سخت‌رو ** پیش حق گوید به صدگون شکر او 3690
To the end that when the stern-visaged tribulation should turn back (on its way to God), it might give thanks to him in God's presence in a hundred fashions,
کز محبت با من محبوب کش ** رو نکرد ایوب یک لحظه ترش
Saying, “From love (of Thee) Job never for one moment looked sourly on me, the killer of that which is loved.”
از وفا و خجلت علم خدا ** بود چون شیر و عسل او با بلا
From his loyalty and his shame before God's knowledge, he (Job) was like milk and honey (in his behaviour) towards tribulation.
فکر در سینه در آید نو به نو ** خند خندان پیش او تو باز رو
(Whenever) the thought (of sorrow) comes into thy breast anew, go to meet it with smiles and laughter,
که اعذنی خالقی من شره ** لا تحرمنی انل من بره
Saying, “O my Creator, preserve me from its evil: do not deprive me, (but) let me partake, of its good!
رب اوزعنی لشکر ما اری ** لا تعقب حسرة لی ان مضی 3695
O my Lord, prompt me to give thanks for that which I see (receive): do not let me feel any subsequent regret, if it (the benefit received) shall pass away.”
آن ضمیر رو ترش را پاس‌دار ** آن ترش را چون شکر شیرین شمار
Pay watchful regard to the sour-looking thought: deem that sour one to be sweet as sugar.