Yearning with desire they (phenomenal ideas) come in troops from the Desert of Non-existence into the visible (material) world.
کاروان بر کاروان زین بادیه ** می‌رسد در هر مسا و غادیه
Caravan on caravan, they arrive from this Desert every evening and morning.
آید و گیرد وثاق ما گرو ** که رسیدم نوبت ما شد تو رو
They come and seize our houses in distraint, (each one) saying, “I have arrived, ’tis my turn, do thou begone!”
چون پسر چشم خرد را بر گشاد ** زود بابا رخت بر گردون نهاد 2775
When the son has opened the eye of reason (attained to years of discretion), the father at once puts his (own) baggage in the cart.
جاده‌ی شاهست آن زین سو روان ** وآن از آن سو صادران و واردان
’Tis (like) the King's highway—(travellers) departing and arriving, one going in this direction, another in that direction.
نیک بنگر ما نشسته می‌رویم ** می‌نبینی قاصد جای نویم
Consider well! We, (though apparently) sitting still, are (really) marching: don't you see that we are bound for a new place (of abode)?
بهر حالی می‌نگیری راس مال ** بلک از بهر غرض‌ها در مل
You do not get (and spend) your capital for any present need; nay, but (you keep it) for your ultimate purposes.
پس مسافر این بود ای ره‌پرست ** که مسیر و روش در مستقبلست
The traveller, then, O devotee of the Way, is he whose march and face are towards the future,
هم‌چنانک از پرده‌ی دل بی‌کلال ** دم به دم در می‌رسد خیل خیال 2780
Even as the troops of Phantasy are at every moment arriving (and passing) unweariedly through the curtains of the heart.
گر نه تصویرات از یک مغرس‌اند ** در پی هم سوی دل چون می‌رسند
If (these) ideas are not (sprung) from one (and the same) Plantation, how are they coming to the heart on each other's heels?
جوق جوق اسپاه تصویرات ما ** سوی چشمه‌ی دل شتابان از ظما
Company after company, the army of our ideas, (impelled) by thirst, is speeding towards the fountain of the heart.
جره‌ها پر می‌کنند و می‌روند ** دایما پیدا و پنهان می‌شوند
They fill their jars and go: they are continually appearing and vanishing.
فکرها را اختران چرخ دان ** دایر اندر چرخ دیگر آسمان
Regard (your) thoughts as stars of the sky (which are) revolving in the sphere of another heaven.
سعد دیدی شکر کن ایثار کن ** نحس دیدی صدقه و استغفار کن 2785
(If) you have experienced good fortune (spiritual thoughts), give thanks (to God) and do works of charity; (if) you have experienced bad fortune (sensual thoughts), give alms and ask pardon (of God).
ما کییم این را بیا ای شاه من ** طالعم مقبل کن و چرخی بزن
Who am I in relation to this? Come, O my King, make my ruling star auspicious and wheel once (towards me).
روح را تابان کن از انوار ماه ** که ز آسیب ذنب جان شد سیاه
Illumine my spirit with moonbeams, for my soul is blackened (eclipsed) by contact with the (Dragon's) Tail.
از خیال و وهم و ظن بازش رهان ** از چه و جور رسن بازش رهان
Deliver it from fancy and vain imagination and opinion, deliver it from the well and the tyranny of the rope,
تا ز دلداری خوب تو دلی ** پر بر آرد بر پرد ز آب و گلی
In order that through Thy goodly lovingkindness a heart (such as mine) may lift its wings and soar up from a (body of) water and earth.
ای عزیز مصر و در پیمان درست ** یوسف مظلوم در زندان تست 2790
O Prince of Egypt and faithful keeper of thy promise, the wronged Joseph is in thy prison.
در خلاص او یکی خوابی ببین ** زود که الله یحب المحسنین
Quickly dream a dream of his release, for God loveth the beneficent.
هفت گاو لاغری پر گزند ** هفت گاو فربهش را می‌خورند
The seven noxious lean kine are devouring its (the spirit's) seven fat kine.
هفت خوشه‌ی خشک زشت ناپسند ** سنبلات تازه‌اش را می‌چرند
The seven dry, ugly, and unapproved ears of corn are feeding on its fresh ears.
قحط از مصرش بر آمد ای عزیز ** هین مباش ای شاه این را مستجیز
Famine has arisen in its Egypt, O mighty Potentate: hark, O King, do not continue to sanction this.