Good and hateful qualities pass from bosoms into bosoms by a hidden way;
میرود از سینهها در سینهها ** از ره پنهان صلاح و کینهها
Nay, indeed, wisdom and knowledge and excellence pass from Man into the ox and the ass.
بلکه خود از آدمی در گاو و خر ** میرود دانایی و علم و هنر
The stumbling (restive) horse becomes smooth-paced and docile; the bear dances, the goat also salaams.
اسب سکسک میشود رهوار و رام ** خرس بازی میکند بر هم سلام
Volition has passed from human beings into the dog, so that he has become a shepherd or a hunter or a guardian (of the house).
رفت اندر سگ ز آدمیان هوس ** تا شبان شد یا شکاری یا حرس
Into the dog of the Companions (of the Cave) there passed from those comers (to the Cave) a (moral) disposition, so that he had become a seeker of God.1425
در سگ اصحاب خوبی ز ان وفود ** رفت تا جویای الله گشته بود
At every moment a (different) species bursts up in the breast: now a devil, and now an angel, now wild beasts.
هر زمان در سینه نوعی سر کند ** گاه دیو و گه ملک گه دام و دد
From that marvellous jungle, where is (dwells) the wise Lion, there is a hidden way to the breasts which ensnare (the spiritual prey).
ز آن عجب بیشه که شیر آگه است ** تا به دام سینهها پنهان ره است
O you who are less than a dog, steal the spiritual pearl from within—from within (the breasts of) them that know God.
دزدیی کن از درون مرجان جان ** ای کم از سگ از درون عارفان
As you (must) steal, at any rate (let it be) that lovely pearl; as you are going to bear a burden, at any rate (let it be) a noble one.
چون که دزدی باری آن در لطیف ** چون که حامل میشوی باری شریف
How the disciples understood that Dhu ’l-Nún had not become mad, (but) had acted with intention.
فهم کردن مریدان که ذو النون دیوانه نشده است قاصد کرده است
The friends went to the prison (to inquire) about the story of Dhu ’l-Nún, and expressed an opinion concerning it,1430
دوستان در قصهی ذو النون شدند ** سوی زندان و در آن رایی زدند