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
Saying, “Perchance he does this purposely, or there is some (deep) wisdom (in it): he is an exemplar and a shining light in this religion.
کاین مگر قاصد کند یا حکمتی است ** او در این دین قبلهای و آیتی است
Far, far be it from his sea-like (profound) intelligence that madness should prompt him to folly!
دور دور از عقل چون دریای او ** تا جنون باشد سفه فرمای او
God forbid, in view of the perfection of his (spiritual) attainments, that the cloud of sickness should cover his moon!
حاش لله از کمال جاه او ** کابر بیماری بپوشد ماه او
He has gone into the house (and taken refuge) from the wickedness of the vulgar: he has become mad on account of the infamy of the sane.
او ز شر عامه اندر خانه شد ** او ز ننگ عاقلان دیوانه شد