He (‘Umar) reminded him of the stages traversed by the soul, and he reminded him of the journeys of the spirit,
از منازلهای جانش یاد داد ** وز سفرهای روانش یاد داد
And of the Time which has (ever) been void of time, and of the Station of Holiness which has (ever) been majestical,1440
وز زمانی کز زمان خالی بده ست ** وز مقام قدس که اجلالی بده ست
And of the atmosphere wherein the Símurgh of the spirit, before this (material life), has flown and experienced (the bounty of Divine) grace,
وز هوایی کاندر او سیمرغ روح ** پیش از این دیده ست پرواز و فتوح
Every single flight thereof (being) greater than the horizons (of this world) and greater than the hope and greed of the longing lover.
هر یکی پروازش از آفاق بیش ** وز امید و نهمت مشتاق بیش
When ‘Umar found the stranger in appearance a friend (in reality), he found (that) his soul (was) seeking (to learn) the (Divine) mysteries.
چون عمر اغیار رو را یار یافت ** جان او را طالب اسرار یافت
The Shaykh (‘Umar) was adept and the disciple (the ambassador) eager: the man (rider) was quick (dexterous) and the beast belonged to the royal court (was nobly bred and docile).
شیخ کامل بود و طالب مشتهی ** مرد چابک بود و مرکب درگهی
That spiritual guide (‘Umar) perceived that he (the ambassador) possessed (the capacity for receiving) guidance: he sowed the good seed in the good soil.1445
دید آن مرشد که او ارشاد داشت ** تخم پاک اندر زمین پاک کاشت
How the ambassador of Rúm questioned the Commander of the Faithful, may God be well-pleased with him.
سؤال کردن رسول روم از عمر
The man said to him, “O Commander of the Faithful, how did the spirit come to the earth from above?
مرد گفتش کای امیر المؤمنین ** جان ز بالا چون در آمد در زمین
How did the infinite bird go into the cage?” He replied, “God recited spells and incantations over the spirit.
مرغ بی‌‌اندازه چون شد در قفص ** گفت حق بر جان فسون خواند و قصص
When He recites spells over the non-existences which have no eye or ear, they begin to stir.
بر عدمها کان ندارد چشم و گوش ** چون فسون خواند همی‌‌آید به جوش