Why do you turn away your head and pretend not to see? Did you not turn away your head at first, (when you were) in non-existence (and disbelieved that you would ever come into existence)?
سر چه می‌‌پیچی کنی نادیده‌‌ای ** در عدم ز اول نه سرپیچیده‌‌ای
You had planted your foot (firmly) in non-existence, saying, “Who will uproot me from my place?”
در عدم افشرده بودی پای خویش ** که مرا که بر کند از جای خویش
Are not you beholding the action of your Lord, who dragged you (into existence) by the forelock,3680
می‌‌نبینی صنع ربانیت را ** که کشید او موی پیشانیت را
Until He drew you into (all) these various states (of being), which were not in your thought or fancy?
تا کشیدت اندر این انواع حال ** که نبودت در گمان و در خیال
That non-existence is always His slave: work (in His service), O demon! Solomon is living.
آن عدم او را هماره بنده است ** کار کن دیوا سلیمان زنده است
The demon is making large bowls like watering-troughs: he dare not say a word in refusal or in retort.
دیو می‌‌سازد جفان کالجواب ** زهره نی تا دفع گوید یا جواب
Look at yourself, how you are trembling with fear (of non-existence): know that nonexistence also is constantly trembling (lest God should bring it into existence).
خویش را بین چون همی‌‌لرزی ز بیم ** مر عدم را نیز لرزان دان مقیم
And if you are grasping at (worldly) dignities, ’tis from fear too that you are suffering agony of spirit.3685
ور تو دست اندر مناصب می‌‌زنی ** هم ز ترس است آن که جانی می‌‌کنی
Except love of the most beauteous God everything, though (outwardly) it is (pleasant like) eating sugar, is (in truth) agony of spirit.
هر چه جز عشق خدای احسن است ** گر شکر خواری است آن جان کندن است
What is agony of spirit? To advance towards death and not grasp the Water of Life.
چیست جان کندن سوی مرگ آمدن ** دست در آب حیاتی نازدن