This edifice has been (made) of dead water and earth, while that edifice has arisen from living piety.
این بنا ز آب و گل مرده بدست ** وان بنا از طاعت زنده شدست
This (edifice) resembles its foundation (which is) full of defect, and that (edifice resembles) its foundation, which is knowledge and action.
این به اصل خویش ماند پرخلل ** وان به اصل خود که علمست و عمل
Both throne and palace and crown and robes are (engaged) in question and reply (conversation) with the inhabitant of Paradise.
هم سریر و قصر و هم تاج و ثیاب ** با بهشتی در سال و در جواب
The carpet (there) is folded without the farrash (carpet- spreader); the house (Paradise) is swept without the broom.
فرش بی‌فراش پیچیده شود ** خانه بی‌مکناس روبیده شود
Behold the house of the heart: it was disordered by (worldly) cares: without sweeper it was swept (clean) by a (vow of) repentance.480
خانه‌ی دل بین ز غم ژولیده شد ** بی‌کناس از توبه‌ای روبیده شد
Its throne moved along without carrier; its door-ring and door became (sweet-sounding like) musician and singer.
تخت او سیار بی‌حمال شد ** حلقه و در مطرب و قوال شد
The life of the everlasting Abode (Paradise) exists in the heart: since it comes not on to my tongue, what is the use (of my attempting to describe it)?
هست در دل زندگی دارالخلود ** در زبانم چون نمی‌آید چه سود
When Solomon went into the Mosque every morning to guide the servants (of God) in the right way,
چون سلیمان در شدی هر بامداد ** مسجد اندر بهر ارشاد عباد
He would give exhortation, sometimes by speech and melody and harmony, sometimes by act—I mean, a bowing or (service of) prayer.
پند دادی گه بگفت و لحن و ساز ** گه به فعل اعنی رکوعی یا نماز
The exhortation of act draws people more powerfully, for it reaches the soul of every one that hath hearing and (also) the deaf.485
پند فعلی خلق را جذاب‌تر ** که رسد در جان هر باگوش و کر