That one who in giving legal judgements was the Imám of the people and in piety bore away the ball from the angels;
آنک در فتوی امام خلق بود ** گوی تقوی از فرشته می‌ربود
That one who checkmated (eclipsed) the moon in wayfaring, while the Religion (itself) was jealous of his religiousness.
آنک اندر سیر مه را مات کرد ** هم ز دین‌داری او دین رشک خورد
Notwithstanding such piety and devotions and (nights passed in) performance of the ritual prayer, he was always seeking the elect (the saints) of God.1945
با چنین تقوی و اوراد و قیام ** طالب خاصان حق بودی مدام
In travel his chief object was that he might come in touch for a moment with an elect servant (of God).
در سفر معظم مرادش آن بدی ** که دمی بر بنده‌ی خاصی زدی
Whilst he was going along the road, he would be saying, “O God, make me a companion of the elect.
این همی‌گفتی چو می‌رفتی براه ** کن قرین خاصگانم ای اله
O Lord, to those (saints) whom my heart knows I am a slave and one who has girt his loins and is ready to do (them) good service;
یا رب آنها راکه بشناسد دلم ** بنده و بسته‌میان ومجملم
And (as for) those whom I know not, do Thou, O God of the soul, make them kindly disposed to me who am debarred (from knowing them).”
و آنک نشناسم تو ای یزدان جان ** بر من محجوبشان کن مهربان
The Lord would say to him, “O most noble prince, what passion is this and what unquenchable thirst is this?1950
حضرتش گفتی که ای صدر مهین ** این چه عشقست و چه استسقاست این
Thou hast My love: why art thou seeking other (than Mine)? When God is with thee, how dost thou seek man?”
مهر من داری چه می‌جویی دگر ** چون خدا با تست چون جویی بشر
He would answer, “O Lord, O Knower of the secret, Thou hast opened in my heart the way of supplication.
او بگفتی یا رب ای دانای راز ** تو گشودی در دلم راه نیاز