Since we are the mates of those who see double, O idolater, ’tis necessary to speak in the fashion of him who attributes a partner (to God).
آن یکیی زان سوی وصفست و حال ** جز دوی ناید به میدان مقال
That Unity is beyond description and condition: nothing comes into the arena (domain) of speech except duality.
یا چو احول این دوی را نوش کن ** یا دهان بر دوز و خوش خاموش کن 2035
Either, like the double-seeing man, drink in (absorb and be satisfied with) this duality, or close your mouth and be very silent;
یا به نوبت گه سکوت و گه کلام ** احولانه طبل می‌زن والسلام
Or (do both) in turns, now silence, now speech: (in the company of the uninitiated) beat the drum like him that sees double, and peace (be with you)!
چون ببینی محرمی گو سر جان ** گل ببینی نعره زن چون بلبلان
When you see a confidant, declare the mystery of the Spirit: (if) you see the rose, sing loud like nightingales.
چون ببینی مشک پر مکر و مجاز ** لب ببند و خویشتن را خنب ساز
(But) when you see (one who resembles) a water-skin full of deceit and falsehood, shut your lips and make yourself like a (dry-lipped) jar;
دشمن آبست پیش او مجنب ** ورنه سنگ جهل او بشکست خنب
(For) he is an enemy to the water (of spiritual life): in his presence do not move (your lips), else the stone of his ignorance breaks the jar.
با سیاستهای جاهل صبر کن ** خوش مدارا کن به عقل من لدن 2040
Patiently endure the punishments inflicted by the ignorant man: give him fair words and dissemble (towards him) with the reason that is divinely inspired.
صبر با نااهل اهلان را جلاست ** صبر صافی می‌کند هر جا دلیست
Patience (shown) to the unworthy is the means of polishing (purifying) the worthy: wherever a heart exists, patience purifies it.
آتش نمرود ابراهیم را ** صفوت آیینه آمد در جلا
The fire of Nimrod was the means of making pure (resplendent) the (inward) mirror of Abraham in (the process of) polishing.
جور کفر نوحیان و صبر نوح ** نوح را شد صیقل مرآت روح
The iniquitous unbelief of Noah's people and the patience of Noah were instrumental in polishing the mirror of Noah's spirit.
حکایت مرید شیخ حسن خرقانی قدس الله سره
Story of the disciple of Shaykh (Abú) Hasan Kharraqání, may God sanctify his spirit!
رفت درویشی ز شهر طالقان ** بهر صیت بوالحسین خارقان
A dervish went from the town of Tálaqán because of the fame of Abu ’l- Husayn of Kháraqán.
کوهها ببرید و وادی دراز ** بهر دید شیخ با صدق و نیاز 2045
He traversed the mountains and the long valley to visit the Shaykh who was endowed with sincerity and fervent supplication.
آنچ در ره دید از رنج و ستم ** گرچه در خوردست کوته می‌کنم
Although the afflictions and injuries which he suffered on the road are deserving (of mention), I will abridge (the story).
چون به مقصد آمد از ره آن جوان ** خانه‌ی آن شاه را جست او نشان
When the young man reached the end of his journey, he asked to be directed to the house of that (spiritual) king.
چون به صد حرمت بزد حلقه‌ی درش ** زن برون کرد از در خانه سرش
As soon as he knocked at his door with a hundred reverences, the (Shaykh's) wife put forth her head from the door of the house,
که چه می‌خواهی بگو ای ذوالکرم ** ژگفت بر قصد زیارت آمدم
Saying, “What do you want? Tell (me), kind sir.” He replied, “I have come with the intention of paying a visit (to the Shaykh).”
خنده‌ای زد زن که خه‌خه ریش بین ** این سفرگیری و این تشویش بین 2050
The wife gave a (loud) laugh. “Ha, ha,” she exclaimed, “look at your beard, look at this undertaking of a journey and (all) this trouble!
خود ترا کاری نبود آن جایگاه ** که به بیهوده کنی این عزم راه
Was there nothing for you to do in the place (where you come from), that you should idly set out upon this expedition?
اشتهای گول‌گردی آمدت ** یا ملولی وطن غالب شدت
Did you feel a craving to indulge in foolish sight-seeing, or were you overcome by disgust with your home?
یا مگر دیوت دو شاخه بر نهاد ** بر تو وسواس سفر را در گشاد
Or, perchance, the Devil laid on you a two-forked barnacle and let loose upon you the temptation to travel.”
گفت نافرجام و فحش و دمدمه ** من نتوانم باز گفتن آن همه
She uttered unseemly and foul and silly words: I cannot relate all of them.
از مثل وز ریش‌خند بی‌حساب ** آن مرید افتاد از غم در نشیب 2055
The disciple was thrown into a painful state of dejection by her parables and countless mockeries.
پرسیدن آن وارد از حرم شیخ کی شیخ کجاست کجا جوییم و جواب نافرجام گفتن حرم
How the new-comer asked the Shaykh's wife, “Where is the Shaykh? Where shall I look for him?” and the rude answer given by the Shaykh's wife.
اشکش از دیده بجست و گفت او ** با همه آن شاه شیرین‌نام کو
Tears burst from his eyes, and he said, “Nevertheless, where is that (spiritual) king of sweet name?”
گفت آن سالوس زراق تهی ** دام گولان و کمند گمرهی
She replied, “That vain hypocritical impostor, a trap for fools and a noose for (leading into) error—
صد هزاران خام ریشان هم‌چو تو ** اوفتاده از وی اندر صد عتو
Hundreds of thousands of callow simpletons like you have fallen, through him, into a hundred rebelliousnesses.
گر نبینیش و سلامت وا روی ** خیر تو باشد نگردی زو غوی
If you should not see him and return (home) in safety, it will be good (luck) for you: you will not be led astray by him.
A braggart, a lick-platter, a parasite: the noise of his drum has reached the remotest parts of the world.
سبطیند این قوم و گوساله‌پرست ** در چنین گاوی چه می‌مالند دست
These folk (who follow him) are (like) Israelites and worshippers of the (golden) calf: why do they fondle such a cow?
جیفة اللیلست و بطال النهار ** هر که او شد غره‌ی این طبل‌خوار
Any one who is duped by this parasite is a carcase by night and a good-for-nothing by day.
هشته‌اند این قوم صد علم و کمال ** مکر و تزویری گرفته کینست حال
These folk have abandoned a hundred kinds of knowledge and perfection and have embraced a deceit and imposture, saying, ‘This is ecstasy.’
آل موسی کو دریغا تاکنون ** عابدان عجل را ریزند خون
Alas, where are the family of Moses that now they might shed the blood of the calf-worshippers
شرع و تقوی را فکنده سوی پشت ** کو عمر کو امر معروفی درشت 2065
(Who) have cast religion and piety behind their backs? Where is ‘Umar? Where is a stern command to act righteously?
کین اباحت زین جماعت فاش شد ** رخصت هر مفسد قلاش شد
For the licence practised by these people has become notorious: ’tis an indulgence enjoyed by every scoundrelly evil-doer.
کو ره پیغامبری و اصحاب او ** کو نماز و سبحه و آداب او
Where is the Way of the Prophet and his Companions? Where are his ritual prayer and rosary and (religious) observances?”
جواب گفتن مرید و زجر کردن مرید آن طعانه را از کفر و بیهوده گفتن
How the disciple answered that railing woman and bade her refrain from her unbelief and idle talk.
بانگ زد بر وی جوان و گفت بس ** روز روشن از کجا آمد عسس
The youth cried out at her and said, “Enough! In bright daylight where did the night-patrol come from?
نور مردان مشرق و مغرب گرفت ** اسمانها سجده کردند از شگفت
The splendour of the (holy) men has overspread the East and the West: the heavens have bowed low in amazement.
آفتاب حق بر آمد از حمل ** زیر چادر رفت خورشید از خجل 2070
The Sun of God has risen from (the sign of) the Ram: the (material) sun has gone, shamefaced, under the veil.
ترهات چون تو ابلیسی مرا ** کی بگرداند ز خاک این سرا
How should the bletherings of a devil like you turn me back from the dust of this abode?
من به بادی نامدم هم‌چون سحاب ** تا بگردی باز گردم زین جناب
I have not (been impelled to) come by a wind (of vain desire) like a cloud, that I should be turned back from this (holy) presence by a dust (of foolish words).
عجل با آن نور شد قبله‌ی کرم ** قبله بی آن نور شد کفر و صنم
By virtue of that Light the calf becomes a qibla of (Divine) grace; without that Light the qibla becomes (a symbol of) infidelity and an idol.
The licence that comes from self-will is error; the licence that comes from God is perfection.
کفر ایمان گشت و دیو اسلام یافت ** آن طرف کان نور بی‌اندازه تافت 2075
In that quarter where the illimitable Light has shone, infidelity has become faith and the Devil has attained unto Islam.
مظهر عزست و محبوب به حق ** از همه کروبیان برده سبق
He (the saint) is a theatre for the manifestation of the (Divine) Glory, and he is the real beloved (of God): he has carried off the prize from (taken precedence over) all the Cherubim.
سجده آدم را بیان سبق اوست ** سجده آرد مغز را پیوست پوست
The worship of Adam (by the angels) is clear evidence of his superiority: the husk always bows down (pays homage) to the kernel.
شمع حق را پف کنی تو ای عجوز ** هم تو سوزی هم سرت ای گنده‌پوز
O old woman, (if) you puff (try to put out) God's candle, you will be burnt, you and your head at the same time, O foul-mouthed one.