What indeed shall I say? Compared with that pearl (Divine clemency) this oyster-shell (human clemency) is naught but the foam of the foam of the foam of foam.
خود چه گویم پیش آن در این صدف ** نیست الا کف کف کف کف
By the truth of that foam, by the truth of that pure sea, (I swear) that these words (of mine) are not (meant to make) trial of thee and are not vain.
حق آن کف حق آن دریای صاف ** که امتحانی نیست این گفت و نه لاف
They are from (inspired by) love and sincerity and humbleness, (I swear) by the truth of that One to whom I turn.
از سر مهر و صفاء است و خضوع ** حق آن کس که بدو دارم رجوع
If this affection (which I am showing) seems to thee a trial, do thou for one moment put the (supposed) trial (of thee) to the test.2680
گر به پیشت امتحان است این هوس ** امتحان را امتحان کن یک نفس
Do not hide thy secret (but reveal it), in order that mine may be revealed: command anything that I am able to do.
سر مپوشان تا پدید آید سرم ** امر کن تو هر چه بر وی قادرم
Do not hide thy heart (but reveal it), in order that mine may be revealed and that I may accept whatever I am capable of (performing).
دل مپوشان تا پدید آید دلم ** تا قبول آرم هر آن چه قابلم
How shall I do? What remedy is in my power? Look what a plight my soul is in.”
چون کنم در دست من چه چاره است ** در نگر تا جان من چه کاره است
How the wife specified to her husband the way to earn daily bread and how he accepted (her proposal).
تعیین کردن زن طریق طلب روزی کدخدای خود را و قبول کردن او
The wife said, “A sun has shone forth, a (whole) world has received light from him—
گفت زن یک آفتابی تافته ست ** عالمی زو روشنایی یافته ست
The Vicar of the Merciful (God), the Khalífa of the Creator: through him the city of Baghdád is (gay and happy) as the season of spring.2685
نایب رحمان خلیفه‌‌ی کردگار ** شهر بغداد است از وی چون بهار
If thou gain access to that King, thou wilt become a king: how long wilt thou go after every (kind of) misfortune?”
گر بپیوندی بدان شه شه شوی ** سوی هر ادبار تا کی می‌‌روی