Since union with the beloved has vanished from before our eyes, we must needs have a vicar as a memorial of him (i.e. one who will recall him to our memory).
چون که شد از پیش دیده وصل یار ** نایبی باید از او مان یادگار
Since the rose is past and the garden ravaged, from whom shall we get the perfume of the rose? From rosewater.”
چون که گل بگذشت و گلشن شد خراب ** بوی گل را از که یابیم از گلاب
Inasmuch as God comes not into sight, these prophets are the vicars of God.
چون خدا اندر نیاید در عیان ** نایب حق‌‌اند این پیغمبران
Nay, I have said (this) wrongly; for if you suppose that the vicar and He who is represented by the vicar are two, it (such a thought) is bad, not good.
نه غلط گفتم که نایب با منوب ** گر دو پنداری قبیح آید نه خوب
Nay; they are two so long as you are a worshipper of form, (but) they have become one to him who has escaped from (consciousness of) form.675
نه دو باشد تا تویی صورت پرست ** پیش او یک گشت کز صورت برست
When you look at the form, your eye is two; look at its (the eye's) light, which grew from the eye.
چون به صورت بنگری چشم تو دست ** تو به نورش درنگر کز چشم رست
’Tis impossible to distinguish the light of the two eyes, when a man has cast his look upon their light.
نور هر دو چشم نتوان فرق کرد ** چون که در نورش نظر انداخت مرد
If ten lamps are present in (one) place, each differs in form from another:
ده چراغ ار حاضر آید در مکان ** هر یکی باشد به صورت غیر آن
To distinguish without any doubt the light of each, when you turn your face towards their light, is impossible.
فرق نتوان کرد نور هر یکی ** چون به نورش روی آری بی‌‌شکی
If you count a hundred apples or a hundred quinces, they do not remain a hundred (but) become one, when you crush them (together).680
گر تو صد سیب و صد آبی بشمری ** صد نماند یک شود چون بفشری