How should a rock be covered with verdure by the Spring? Become earth, that thou mayst display flowers of many a hue.
از بهاران کی شود سر سبز سنگ ** خاک شو تا گل برویی رنگ رنگ
Years hast thou been a heart-jagging rock: once, for the sake of experiment, be earth!
سالها تو سنگ بودی دل خراش ** آزمون را یک زمانی خاک باش
The story of the old harper who in the time of ‘Umar, may God be well-pleased with him, on a day when he was starving played the harp for God's sake in the graveyard.
داستان پیر چنگی که در عهد عمر از بهر خدا روز بینوایی چنگ زد میان گورستان
Hast thou heard that in the time of ‘Umar there was a harper, a fine and glorious minstrel?
آن شنیده ستی که در عهد عمر ** بود چنگی مطربی با کر و فر
The nightingale would be made beside herself by his voice: by his beautiful voice one rapture would be turned into a hundred.
بلبل از آواز او بیخود شدی ** یک طرب ز آواز خوبش صد شدی
His breath was an ornament to assembly and congregation, and at his song the dead would arise.1915
مجلس و مجمع دمش آراستی ** وز نوای او قیامت خاستی
(He was) like Isráfíl (Seraphiel), whose voice will cunningly bring the souls of the dead into their bodies,
همچو اسرافیل کاوازش به فن ** مردگان را جان در آرد در بدن
Or he was (like) an accompanist to Isráfíl, for his music would make the elephant grow wings.
یا رسیلی بود اسرافیل را ** کز سماعش پر برستی فیل را
One day Isráfíl will make a shrill sound and will give life to him that has been rotten for a hundred years.
سازد اسرافیل روزی ناله را ** جان دهد پوسیدهی صد ساله را
The prophets also have (spiritual) notes within, whence there comes life beyond price to them that seek (God).
انبیا را در درون هم نغمههاست ** طالبان را ز آن حیات بیبهاست
The sensual ear does not hear those notes, for the sensual ear is defiled by iniquities.1920
نشنود آن نغمهها را گوش حس ** کز ستمها گوش حس باشد نجس