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
People fix both their eyes on earth and death: they have a hundred doubts concerning the Water of Life.
خلق را دو دیده در خاک و ممات ** صد گمان دارند در آب حیات
Strive that the hundred doubts may become ninety (may decrease): go (towards God) in the night (of this world), for if you slumber, the night will go (from you).
جهد کن تا صد گمان گردد نود ** شب برو ور تو بخسبی شب رود
In the dark night seek that (shining) Day: put in front (follow) the darkness consuming Reason.3690
در شب تاریک جوی آن روز را ** پیش کن آن عقل ظلمت سوز را
In the evil-coloured night there is much good: the Water of Life is the mate of darkness.
در شب بد رنگ بس نیکی بود ** آب حیوان جفت تاریکی بود
How is it possible to lift up the head from slumber, whilst you are sowing a hundred such seeds of slothfulness?
سر ز خفتن کی توان برداشتن ** با چنین صد تخم غفلت کاشتن
Slumber is dead (unlawful) food is dead; they are friends (to each other): the merchant fell asleep and the night-thief got to work.
خواب مرده لقمه‌‌ی مرده یار شد ** خواجه خفت و دزد شب بر کار شد