That lion which is immune from sleep was (apparently) asleep: lo, a complaisant terrible lion!3795
خفته بود آن شیر کز خوابست پاک ** اینت شیر نرمسار سهمناک
The lion feigns to be asleep so (well) that those curs think he is quite dead;
خفته سازد شیر خود را آنچنان ** که تمامش مرده دانند این سگان
Else, who in the world would dare to rob a poor man (even) of a grain of turpeth mineral?
ورنه در عالم کرا زهره بدی ** که ربودی از ضعیفی تربدی
The foam (body) of Ahmad was torn (powerfully affected) by that sight (of Gabriel), (but) his sea (spirit) surged up (displayed itself in action) for love of the foam.
کف احمد زان نظر مخدوش گشت ** بحر او از مهر کف پرجوش گشت
The moon (the spirit of Ahmad) is entirely a bounteous light-diffusing hand: if the moon have no hand (with which to bestow light), let it have none!
مه همه کفست معطی نورپاش ** ماه را گر کف نباشد گو مباش
If Ahmad should display that glorious pinion (his spiritual nature), Gabriel would remain dumbfounded unto everlasting.3800
احمد ار بگشاید آن پر جلیل ** تا ابد بیهوش ماند جبرئیل
When Ahmad passed beyond the Lote-tree (on the boundary of Paradise) and his (Gabriel's) place of watch and station and farthest limit,
چون گذشت احمد ز سدره و مرصدش ** وز مقام جبرئیل و از حدش
He said to him (Gabriel), “Hark, fly after me.” He (Gabriel) said, “Go, go; I am not thy companion (any farther).”
گفت او را هین بپر اندر پیم ** گفت رو رو من حریف تو نیم
He answered him, saying, “Come, O destroyer of veils: I have not yet advanced to my zenith.”
باز گفت او را بیا ای پردهسوز ** من باوج خود نرفتستم هنوز
He replied, “O my illustrious friend, if I take one flight beyond this limit, my wings will be consumed.”
گفت بیرون زین حد ای خوشفر من ** گر زنم پری بسوزد پر من