If this world's prison had no refuge, neither would there be any feeling of aversion nor would the heart seek release.
گر نبودی حبس دنیا را مناص ** نه بدی وحشت نه دل جستی خلاص
Thy aversion is dragging thee along, like a custodian, saying, “O man astray, seek the path of righteousness.”
وحشتت هم‌چون موکل می‌کشد ** که بجو ای ضال منهاج رشد
The path is there, but it is hidden in a secret place: its discovery is in pawn to (involves) seeking in vain (before it can be found).2040
هست منهاج و نهان در مکمنست ** یافتش رهن گزافه جستنست
Separation is secretly in quest of union: in this seeker do thou discern the face of the sought.
تفرقه‌جویان جمع اندر کمین ** تو درین طالب رخ مطلوب بین
The dead (trees and plants) of the orchard spring up from the root, saying, “Perceive the Giver of life!”
مردگان باغ برجسته ز بن ** کان دهنده‌ی زندگی را فهم کن
How should the eyes of these prisoners (of the world) be always (fixed) on (what lies) beyond, if there were no bringer of the good news (of deliverance)?
چشم این زندانیان هر دم به در ** کی بدی گر نیستی کس مژده‌ور
How should there be a hundred thousand befouled ones seeking water, if there were no water in the river?
صد هزار آلودگان آب‌جو ** کی بدندی گر نبودی آب جو
(If) there is no rest for thy side upon the earth, (yet) know that there is a coverlet and mattress at home.2045
بر زمین پهلوت را آرام نیست ** دان که در خانه لحاف و بستریست
Without (there being) a resting-place there would not be the restless (seeker); without (there being) that which takes away the headache of intoxication, there would not be this headache.
بی‌مقرگاهی نباشد بی‌قرار ** بی‌خمار اشکن نباشد این خمار
He (the objector) said, “Nay, nay, O Messenger of God, do not appoint any but an old Shaykh to be chief of the army.
گفت نه نه یا رسول الله مکن ** سرور لشکر مگر شیخ کهن