یا مثال یخ که زاید از شتا ** شد شتا پنهان و آن یخ پیش ما

Or like the ice which is born of winter: winter disappears, but the ice is with us.

هست آن یخ زان صعوبت یادگار ** یادگار صیف در دی این ثمار

The ice is a souvenir of the hardships (of winter), and in December these fruits are a souvenir of summer.

هم‌چنان هر جزو جزوت ای فتی ** در تنت افسانه گوی نعمتی

Similarly, O youth, every single part in thy body is telling the story of a (past) bounty,

چون زنی که بیست فرزندش بود ** هر یکی حاکی حال خوش بود

As, (in the case of) a woman who has twenty children, each (child) is telling of a (past) delight.

حمل نبود بی ز مستی و ز لاغ ** بی بهاری کی شود زاینده باغ 1805

There is no pregnancy without (past) rapture and amorous sport: how should the orchard produce (fruit) without a Spring?

حاملان و بچگانشان بر کنار ** شد دلیل عشق‌بازی با بهار

The pregnant (trees) and the children on their laps are evidence of dalliance with the Spring.

هر درختی در رضاع کودکان ** هم‌چو مریم حامل از شاهی نهان

Every tree (engaged) in suckling its children is impregnated, like Mary, by a King unseen.

گرچه صد در آب آتشی پوشیده شد ** صد هزاران کف برو جوشیده شد

Although in (boiling) water the heat of fire is concealed (from view), a hundred thousand bubbles froth upon it,

گرچه آتش سخت پنهان می‌تند ** کف بده انگشت اشارت می‌کند

And though the fire works very secretly, the froth indicates (its presence) with ten fingers.

هم‌چنین اجزای مستان وصال ** حامل از تمثالهای حال و قال 1810

In like manner (all) the parts of those intoxicated with union are pregnant with the (ideal) forms of (ecstatic) feelings and words.

در جمال حال وا مانده دهان ** چشم غایب گشته از نقش جهان

Their mouths remain gaping (in amazement) at the beauty of (that) ecstasy, (while) their eyes are absent (withdrawn) from the forms of this world.

آن موالید از زه این چار نیست ** لاجرم منظور این ابصار نیست

Those (spiritual) progenies are not (produced) by means of these four (elements); consequently they are not seen by these eyes.

آن موالید از تجلی زاده‌اند ** لاجرم مستور پرده‌ی ساده‌اند

Those progenies are born of (Divine) illumination; consequently they are covered (from sight) by a pure veil.

زاده گفتیم و حقیقت زاد نیست ** وین عبارت جز پی ارشاد نیست

We said “born,” but in reality they are not born, and this expression is only (used) in order to guide (the understanding).

هین خمش کن تا بگوید شاه قل ** بلبلی مفروش با این جنس گل 1815

Hark, be silent that the King of Say may speak: do not play the nightingale with a Rose of this kind.

این گل گویاست پر جوش و خروش ** بلبلا ترک زبان کن باش گوش

This eloquent Rose is full of song and cry: O nightingale, let thy tongue cease, be (all) ear!

هر دو گون تمثال پاکیزه‌مثال ** شاهد عدل‌اند بر سر وصال

Both (these) kinds of pure ideal forms are valid (trustworthy) witnesses to the mystery of union.

هر دو گون حسن لطیف مرتضی ** شاهد احبال و حشر ما مضی

Both (these) kinds of subtle and delectable beauty are witnesses to (spiritual) pregnancies and growing big (with child) in the past,

هم‌چو یخ کاندر تموز مستجد ** هر دم افسانه‌ی زمستان می‌کند

Like ice that in the brilliant (month of) Tamúz is ever telling the story of winter

ذکر آن اریاح سرد و زمهریر ** اندر آن ازمان و ایام عسیر 1820

And recalling the cold winds and intense frost in those hard days and times;

هم‌چو آن میوه که در وقت شتا ** می‌کند افسانه‌ی لطف خدا

(Or) like fruit that in winter-time tells the story of God's lovingkindness

قصه‌ی دور تبسمهای شمس ** وآن عروسان چمن را لمس و طمس

And the tale of the season when the sun was smiling and embracing the brides of the orchard. [And the tale of the season when the sun was (enjoying) touching and copulating (with) the brides of the orchard.]

حال رفت و ماند جزوت یادگار ** یا ازو واپرس یا خود یاد آر

The ecstasy is gone but thy (every) part remains as a souvenir: either inquire of it, or thyself recall (the ecstasy) to mind.

چون فرو گیرد غمت گر چستیی ** زان دم نومید کن وا جستیی

When grief takes possession of thee, if thou art a fit (alert and capable) person thou wouldst question that moment of despair

گفتییش ای غصه‌ی منکر به حال ** راتبه‌ی انعامها را زان کمال 1825

And wouldst say to it, “O Sorrow that deniest implicitly the allowance of favours (bestowed upon thee) by that Perfection,