I knew, before coming face to face (with thee), that by reason of contumacy thou art set fast in damnation.
من همی دانستمت پیش از لقا ** کز ستیزه راسخی اندر شقا
When my eye is red in ophthalmia, I know it (the redness) is from the disease, (even) if I do not see it (the redness).
چونک چشمم سرخ باشد در غمش ** دانمش زان درد گر کم بینمش
Thou deemedst me as a lamb without the shepherd, thou thoughtest that I have none keeping watch (over me).
تو مرا چون بره دیدی بی شبان ** تو گمان بردی ندارم پاسبان
The cause why lovers have moaned in grief is that they have rubbed their eyes malapropos.
عاشقان از درد زان نالیدهاند ** که نظر ناجایگه مالیدهاند
They have regarded that Gazelle as being shepherdless, they have regarded that Captive as (one who may be taken) cost-free,230
بیشبان دانستهاند آن ظبی را ** رایگان دانستهاند آن سبی را
Till (suddenly) an arrow from the glance (of Divine jealousy) comes (descends) upon the heart, (as though) to say, ‘I am the Keeper: do not look wantonly.
تا ز غمزه تیر آمد بر جگر ** که منم حارس گزافه کم نگر
How am I meaner than a lamb, meaner than a kid, that there should not be a keeper behind me?
کی کم از بره کم از بزغالهام ** که نباشد حارس از دنبالهام
I have a Keeper whom it beseems to hold dominion: He knoweth the wind that blows upon me.
حارسی دارم که ملکش میسزد ** داند او بادی که آن بر من وزد
Whether that wind was cold or hot, that Knowing One is not unaware, is not absent, O infirm man.
سرد بود آن باد یا گرم آن علیم ** نیست غافل نیست غایب ای سقیم
The appetitive soul is deaf and blind to God: I with my heart was seeing thy blindness from afar.235
نفس شهوانی ز حق کرست و کور ** من به دل کوریت میدیدم ز دور