A beginning and end are necessary in order that the mean or middle (point) between them may be conceived in imagination.
اول و آخر بباید تا در آن ** در تصور گنجد اوسط یا میان
Inasmuch as the infinite has not (these) two limits, how should the mean be applicable to it?
بینهایت چون ندارد دو طرف ** کی بود او را میانه منصرف
No one has shown it to have beginning or end. He (God) said, ‘If the sea were to become ink for it (the Word of God)…’
اول و آخر نشانش کس نداد ** گفت لو کان له البحر مداد
If the Seven Seas should become entirely ink, (still) there is no hope of coming to an end.
هفت دریا گر شود کلی مداد ** نیست مر پایان شدن را هیچ امید
If orchards and forests should become pens altogether, there would never be any decrease in this Word.3545
باغ و بیشه گر بود یک سر قلم ** زین سخن هرگز نگردد هیچ کم
All that ink and (all those) pens pass away, and this numberless Word is everlasting.
آن همه حبر و قلم فانی شود ** وین حدیث بیعدد باقی بود
At times my state resembles sleep: a misguided person may think it is sleep.
حالت من خواب را ماند گهی ** خواب پندارد مر آن را گمرهی
Know that my eyes are asleep, (but) my heart is awake: know that my (seemingly) inactive form is (really) in action.
چشم من خفته دلم بیدار دان ** شکل بیکار مرا بر کار دان
The Prophet said, ‘My eyes sleep, (but) my heart is not asleep to the Lord of created beings.’
گفت پیغمبر که عینای تنام ** لا ینام قلبی عن رب الأنام
Your eyes are awake, and your heart is sunk in slumber; my eyes are asleep, (but) my heart is in (contemplation of) the opening of the door (of Divine grace).3550
چشم تو بیدار و دل خفته به خواب ** چشم من خفته دلم در فتح باب