(I swear) that the (good) qualities of my fellow-servant and friend exceed my description (of them) a hundredfold.
که صفات خواجهتاش و یار من ** هست صد چندان که این گفتار من
That which I know of the (spiritual) endowments of that comrade (of mine) would not be believed by thee: what shall I say, O noble (king)?”
آن چه میدانم ز وصف آن ندیم ** باورت ناید چه گویم ای کریم
The King said, “Now speak of your own (case); how long will you speak of what concerns this or that one?
شاه گفت اکنون از آن خود بگو ** چند گویی آن این و آن او
What do you possess and what have you gained? What pearls have you fetched from the bottom of the Sea?
تو چه داری و چه حاصل کردهای ** از تگ دریا چه در آوردهای
On the day of death this sense-perception of yours will vanish: have you the spiritual light that should be the companion of your heart?940
روز مرگ این حس تو باطل شود ** نور جان داری که یار دل شود
When dust shall fill these eyes in the tomb, have you that which will make the grave bright?
در لحد کاین چشم را خاک آگند ** هستت آن چه گور را روشن کند
At the time when your hands and feet shall be torn in shreds, have you wings and plumes that your spirit may fly aloft?
آن زمان که دست و پایت بر درد ** پر و بالت هست تا جان بر پرد
At the time when this animal soul is no more, it behoves you to set the everlasting spirit in its place.
آن زمان کاین جان حیوانی نماند ** جان باقی بایدت بر جا نشاند
The stipulation of (implied in) he that comes with good (shall be rewarded tenfold) does not consist in doing (good); it consists in bringing this good to the presence of God.
شرط من جا بالحسن نه کردن است ** این حسن را سوی حضرت بردن است
You have a substance (essence) human or asinine (bestial): (bring that to God): how can you bring (to Him) these accidents (of word or deed) which have passed away?945
جوهری داری ز انسان یا خری ** این عرضها که فنا شد چون بری