ور بگویی خود نگردد آشکار ** تو به قصد کشف گردی جرم‌دار
And if thou tell (it), it will not become manifest, (yet) thou wilt be guilty of attempting to reveal it.
لیک من اینک بریشان می‌تنم ** قایل این سامع این هم منم 2270
But, mark, I am compassing them about: I am at once the speaker and the hearer of this (mystery).
صورت درویش و نقش گنج گو ** رنج کیش‌اند این گروه از رنج گو
Tell (only) of the (outward) form of the dervish and the picture (external description) of the treasure. These folk are addicted to (worldly) trouble: tell (them) of trouble.
چشمه‌ی راحت بریشان شد حرام ** می‌خورند از زهر قاتل جام‌جام
The fountain of Mercy has become unlawful to them: they are drinking cup after cup of deadly poison.
خاکها پر کرده دامن می‌کشند ** تا کنند این چشمه‌ها را خشک‌بند
Having filled their skirts with clods, they are taking them along in order to make a dam for these fountains.
کی شود این چشمه‌ی دریامدد ** مکتنس زین مشت خاک نیک و بد
How should this fountain, which is replenished by the Sea, be stopped up by this good or bad folk’s handful of earth?
لیک گوید با شما من بسته‌ام ** بی‌شما من تا ابد پیوسته‌ام 2275
But it (the fountain) says, ‘With you, I am closed; Without you, I continue (to flow) unto everlasting.’ ”
قوم معکوس‌اند اندر مشتها ** خاک‌خوار و آب را کرده رها
The (worldly) folk are perverted in their appetites: (they are) eating earth and have left the water (untasted).
ضد طبع انبیا دارند خلق ** اژدها را متکا دارند خلق
The people (of the world) have a nature opposite to that of the prophets: the people deem the dragon (the world) an object of reliance.
چشم‌بند ختم چون دانسته‌ای ** هیچ دانی از چه دیده بسته‌ای
Inasmuch as you have known (from the Qur’an) the eye-bandage whereby God steals (the sight) do you know at all to what you have shut your eyes?
بر چه بگشادی بدل این دیده‌ها ** یک به یک بس البدل دان آن ترا
To what instead have you opened these eyes (of yours)? (Whatever it be), know that in every respect it is a bad exchange for you.
لیک خورشید عنایت تافته‌ست ** آیسان را از کرم در یافته‌ست 2280
But (nevertheless) the sun of (Divine) favour has shone (forth) and has graciously succoured them that despair.
نرد بس نادر ز رحمت باخته ** عین کفران را انابت ساخته
He (God) in His mercy has played a very marvellous game of backgammon: He has made the essence of ingratitude to be a turning in repentance (towards Him).
هم ازین بدبختی خلق آن جواد ** منفجر کرده دو صد چشمه‌ی وداد
Even from this ill-fatedness (unrighteousness) of the people (of the world) that Bounteous One has caused two hundred fountains of love to burst.
غنچه را از خار سرمایه دهد ** مهره را از مار پیرایه دهد
He gives to the rose-bud a source (of growth) in the thorn; He gives to the snake-stone, (though obtained) from the snake, an ornamental quality.
He brings forth day from the blackness of night and makes ease (opulence) to grow (flow) from the hand of him who suffers hardship (penury).
آرد سازد ریگ را بهر خلیل ** کو با داود گردد هم رسیل 2285
He makes sand into flour for Khalil (Abraham); the mountain becomes an accompanist to David.
کوه با وحشت در آن ابر ظلم ** بر گشاید بانگ چنگ و زیر و بم
The solitary mountain amidst that cloud of darkness opens the music of the harp and (the tones of) treble and bass,
خیز ای داود از خلقان نفیر ** ترک آن کردی عوض از ما بگیر
(Singing), “Arise, O David, thou shunner of the people! Thou hast abandoned that (society): receive compensation from me.”
انابت آن طالب گنج به حق تعالی بعد از طلب بسیار و عجز و اضطرار کی ای ولی الاظهار تو کن این پنهان را آشکار
How the seeker of the treasure, after having searched much and having been reduced to helplessness and despair, turned to God Most High, saying, “O Thou to whom manifestation belongs, do Thou make this hidden thing evident!”
گفت آن درویش ای دانای راز ** از پی این گنج کردم یاوه‌تاز
The dervish said, “O Knower of the secret, I have run about in vain for the sake of this treasure.
دیو حرص و آز و مستعجل تگی ** نی تانی جست و نی آهستگی
The devil of greed and cupidity and hurry sought neither deliberation nor calmness.
من ز دیگی لقمه‌ای نندوختم ** کف سیه کردم دهان را سوختم 2290
I have not gained a morsel from any pot: I have (only) blackened my hand and burnt my mouth.
خود نگفتم چون درین ناموقنم ** زان گره‌زن این گره را حل کنم
Verily, I did not say (to myself), ‘Since I have no certainty in this (matter), I will untie this knot by (the help of) Him who ties (all) knots.’”
قول حق را هم ز حق تفسیر جو ** هین مگو ژاژ از گمان ای سخت‌رو
Seek the exposition of God’s Word from God: do not talk nonsense (derived) from (your own) opinion, O hard (impudent) man.
آن گره کو زد همو بگشایدش ** مهره کو انداخت او بربایدش
The knot which He tied He also will loose: the die which He cast (on the board) He (Himself) will take off.