The man transcending space, in whom is the Light of God— whence (what concern of his) is the past, the future, or the present?
لامکانی که درو نور خداست ** ماضی و مستقبل و حال از کجاست
His being past or future is (only) in relation to thee: both are one thing, and thou thinkest they are two.
ماضی و مستقبلش نسبت به تست ** هر دو یک چیزند پنداری که دوست
One individual is to him father and to us son: the roof is below Zayd and above ‘Amr.
یک تنی او را پدر ما را پسر ** بام زیر زید و بر عمرو آن زبر
The relation of “below” and “above” arises from those two persons: as regards itself, the roof is one thing only.
نسبت زیر و زبر شد زان دو کس ** سقف سوی خویش یک چیزست بس
These expressions are not (exactly) similar to that (doctrine of spiritual timelessness): they are a comparison: the old words fall short of the new meaning.1155
نیست مثل آن مثالست این سخن ** قاصر از معنی نو حرف کهن
Since there is no river-marge, close thy lips, O waterskin: this Sea of candy hath (ever) been without marge or shore.
چون لب جو نیست مشکا لب ببند ** بی لب و ساحل بدست این بحر قند
How Pharaoh sent (messengers) to the cities in search of the magicians.
فرستادن فرعون به مداین در طلب ساحران
When Moses had returned (home) and he (Pharaoh) remained (with his own people), he called his advisers and counsellors to his presence.
چونک موسی بازگشت و او بماند ** اهل رای و مشورت را پیش خواند
They deemed it right that the King and Ruler of Egypt should assemble them (the magicians) from all parts of Egypt.
آنچنان دیدند کز اطراف مصر ** جمع آردشان شه و صراف مصر
Thereupon he sent many men in every direction to collect the sorcerers.
او بسی مردم فرستاد آن زمان ** هر نواحی بهر جمع جادوان
In whatsoever region there was a renowned magician, he set flying towards him ten active couriers.1160
هر طرف که ساحری بد نامدار ** کرد پران سوی او ده پیک کار