It so happened to Dhu ’l-Nún the Egyptian that a new agitation and madness was born within him.
این چنین ذو النون مصری را فتاد ** کاندر او شور و جنونی نو بزاد
His agitation became so great that salt (bitterness) from it was reaching (all) hearts up to above the sky.
شور چندان شد که تا فوق فلک ** میرسید از وی جگرها را نمک
Beware, O (thou of) salty soil, do not put thy agitation beside (in comparison with) the agitation of the holy lords (saints).
هین منه تو شور خود ای شوره خاک ** پهلوی شور خداوندان پاک
The people could not endure his madness: his fire was carrying off their beards.
خلق را تاب جنون او نبود ** آتش او ریشهاشان میربود
When (that) fire fell on the beards of the vulgar, they bound him and put him in a prison.1390
چون که در ریش عوام آتش فتاد ** بند کردندش به زندانی نهاد
There is no possibility of pulling back this rein, though the vulgar be distressed by this way.
نیست امکان واکشیدن این لگام ** گر چه زین ره تنگ میآیند عام
These (spiritual) kings have seen (themselves in) danger of their lives from the vulgar; for this multitude are blind, and the kings (are) without (a visible) mark.
دیده این شاهان ز عامه خوف جان ** کاین گره کورند و شاهان بینشان
When authority is in the hands of profligates, (a) Dhu ’l-Nún is inevitably in prison.
چون که حکم اندر کف رندان بود ** لاجرم ذو النون در زندان بود
The great king rides alone! Such a unique pearl in the hands of children!
یک سواره میرود شاه عظیم ** در کف طفلان چنین در یتیم
What pearl? (Nay), the Sea hidden in a drop, a Sun concealed in a mote.1395
در چه دریا نهان در قطرهای ** آفتابی مخفی اندر ذرهای