From what chain art thou seeking release, and from what imprisonment art thou seeking to escape?
بند تقدیر و قضای مختفی ** کی نبیند آن بجز جان صفی
(From) the hidden chain of fore-ordainment and destiny, which none but the elect spirit may behold.
گرچه پیدا نیست آن در مکمنست ** بتر از زندان و بند آهنست1660
Though it is not visible, it is (there) in ambush; it is worse that prison and chains of iron,
زانک آهنگر مر آن را بشکند ** حفره گر هم خشت زندان بر کند
Because that (iron chain) the ironsmith may break, and the excavator may even dig up the bricks (foundations) of the prison;
ای عجب این بند پنهان گران ** عاجز از تکسیر آن آهنگران
(But), O wonder, this heavy hidden chain the ironsmiths are powerless to shatter.
دیدن آن بند احمد را رسد ** بر گلوی بسته حبل من مسد
Vision of that chain (of Destiny) belongs to Ahmad (Mohammed): (he saw it) on the throat bound with a cord of palm-fibres.
دید بر پشت عیال بولهب ** تنگ هیزم گفت حماله‌ی حطب
He saw a load of firewood on the back of Abu Lahab’s wife and said,the carrier of faggots(for Hell-fire).
حبل و هیزم را جز او چشمی ندید ** که پدید آید برو هر ناپدید1665
The cord and the firewood no eye beheld but his, for to him every unseen thing becomes visible.
باقیانش جمله تاویلی کنند ** کین ز بیهوشیست و ایشان هوشمند
All the rest interpret it (falsely), for this (vision) arises from senselessness (spiritual rapture), and they are sensible-
لیک از تاثیر آن پشتش دوتو ** گشته و نالان شده او پیش تو
But from the effect of that (chain) his (the sufferer’s) back has been bent double, and he is moaning before you,
که دعایی همتی تا وا رهم ** تا ازین بند نهان بیرون جهم
(And crying), ‘A prayer! A benediction !that I may be delivered and that I may escape from this hidden chain.”
آنک بیند این علامتها پدید ** چون نداند او شقی را از سعید
He who sees these signs clearly, how should not he know the damned from the blest?
داند و پوشد بامر ذوالجلال ** که نباشد کشف راز حق حلال1670
He knows, and by command of the Almighty he conceals (it), for it would not be lawful to divulge the secret of God.
این سخن پایان ندارد آن فقیر ** از مجاعت شد زبون و تن اسیر
This discourse hath no end. That dervish, through hunger, became feeble and his body a prisoner.
مضطرب شدن فقیر نذر کرده بکندن امرود از درخت و گوشمال حق رسیدن بی مهلت
How the dervish who had made the vow was reduced (by hunger) to plucking the pears from the tree, and how God’s chastisement came (upon him) without delay.
پنج روز آن باد امرودی نریخت ** ز آتش جوعش صبوری می‌گریخت
For five days the wind did not cause a single pear to drop, and on account of the fire (pangs) of hunger his patience was fleeing (deserting him).
بر سر شاخی مرودی چند دید ** باز صبری کرد و خود را وا کشید
He espied several pears on a bough, (but) once more he acted with patience and restrained himself.
باد آمد شاخ را سر زیر کرد ** طبع را بر خوردن آن چیر کرد
The wind came and lowered the end of the bough and caused his carnal nature to prevail for the eating of that (fruit).
جوع و ضعف و قوت جذب و قضا ** کرد زاهد را ز نذرش بی‌وفا1675
Hunger and weakness and the strength of pull and (the might of) Destiny made the ascetic unfaithful to his vow.