Come now, relate what happened to that heart-sick (youth), for we have left the man of Bukhárá far behind, O son.
هین بگو احوال آن خستهجگر ** کز بخاری دور ماندیم ای پسر
How the lover found his beloved; and a discourse showing that the seeker is a finder, for he who shall do as much good as the weight of an ant shall see it (in the end).
یافتن عاشق معشوق را و بیان آنک جوینده یابنده بود کی و من یعمل مثقال ذرة خیرا یره
(It happened) that for seven years that youth was (engaged) in search and seeking: from (cherishing) the phantasy of union he became like a phantom.4780
کان جوان در جست و جو بد هفت سال ** از خیال وصل گشته چون خیال
(If) the shadow (protection) of God be over the head of the servant (of God), the seeker at last will be a finder.
سایهی حق بر سر بنده بود ** عاقبت جوینده یابنده بود
The Prophet said that when you knock at a door, at last a head will come forth from that door.
گفت پیغامبر که چون کوبی دری ** عاقبت زان در برون آید سری
When you sit (wait) on the road of a certain person, at last you will see also the face of a certain person.
چون نشینی بر سر کوی کسی ** عاقبت بینی تو هم روی کسی
When, every day, you keep digging the earth from a pit, at last you will arrive at the pure water.
چون ز چاهی میکنی هر روز خاک ** عاقبت اندر رسی در آب پاک
(Even) if you may not believe (it), all know this, (that) one day you will reap whatsoever you are sowing.4785
جمله دانند این اگر تو نگروی ** هر چه میکاریش روزی بدروی
You struck the stone (flint) against the iron (steel): the fire did not flash out! This may not be; or if it be (so), ’tis rare.
سنگ بر آهن زدی آتش نجست ** این نباشد ور بباشد نادرست
He to whom felicity and salvation are not apportioned (by God)—his mind regards naught but the rarities.
آنک روزی نیستش بخت و نجات ** ننگرد عقلش مگر در نادرات
(He says) that such and such a one sowed seed and had no crop, while that (other) one bore away an oyster-shell (from the sea), and the shell had no pearl (within it).
کان فلان کس کشت کرد و بر نداشت ** و آن صدف برد و صدف گوهر نداشت