This lamp dies from (is extinguished by) the breath of sorrow, and it also dies from the breath of joy. Here, look you, is a pleasant jest!
از دم غم می‌بمیرد این چراغ ** وز دم شادی بمیرد اینت لاغ
He (Man) is living between these two deaths: this (being) that resembles one shackled with a collar is an occasion for laughter.
در میان این دو مرگ او زنده است ** این مطوق شکل جای خنده است
The king said to himself, “In consequence of the Lord's causation such a sorrow as that was the cause of joy.”
شاه با خود گفت شادی را سبب ** آنچنان غم بود از تسبیب رب
Oh, wonderful (that) the same thing from one aspect (is) death and from another aspect a quickening with life and a provision!3095
ای عجب یک چیز از یک روی مرگ ** وان ز یک روی دگر احیا و برگ
The same thing is destructive in relation to one circumstance, while again it is preservative in regard to another.
آن یکی نسبت بدان حالت هلاک ** باز هم آن سوی دیگر امتساک
Bodily joy is perfection in regard to that which is of the present world, (but it is) defect and failure in regard to the Day of the latter end.
شادی تن سوی دنیاوی کمال ** سوی روز عاقبت نقص و زوال
The oneiromancer, too, declares laughter in dreams to be (a presage of) weeping with regrets and griefs,
خنده را در خواب هم تعبیر خوان ** گریه گوید با دریغ و اندهان
(While) for weeping in dreams joy and gladness are (presaged) in the interpretation, O gleeful man.
گریه را در خواب شادی و فرح ** هست در تعبیر ای صاحب مرح
The king pondered, saying, “This sorrow, indeed, is past, but my soul has become suspicious (has misgivings and fears) of (being afflicted by) one of the same kind;3100
شاه اندیشید کین غم خود گذشت ** لیک جان از جنس این بدظن گشت
And if such a thorn enter my foot (if such a calamity befall me) that the rose departs (that my son dies), I must needs have a keepsake.”
ور رسد خاری چنین اندر قدم ** که رود گل یادگاری بایدم