He that declares the mystery of “an ant said” will also know the mystery of this ancient dome.
آنک گوید راز قالت نملة ** هم بداند راز این طاق کهن
From afar he (Solomon) discerned that to her (Bilqís) who was following the path of resignation ‘twas bitter to part with her throne.
دید از دورش که آن تسلیم کیش ** تلخش آمد فرقت آن تخت خویش
If I explain the reason why she had that love and complaisance to her throne, it (the discourse) will become (too) long.
گر بگویم آن سبب گردد دراز ** که چرا بودش به تخت آن عشق و ساز
Although this reed-pen is in fact an insensible thing and is not homogeneous with the writer, (yet) it is a familiar friend to him.875
گرچه این کلک قلم خود بی‌حسیست ** نیست جنس کاتب او را مونسیست
Likewise, every tool of a craftsman is, (though) lifeless, the familiar friend of the spirit of Man.
هم‌چنین هر آلت پیشه‌وری ** هست بی‌جان مونس جانوری
This reason I would have explained precisely, if there were not some moisture (dimness) in the eye of your understanding.
این سبب را من معین گفتمی ** گر نبودی چشم فهمت را نمی
There was no possibility of transporting the throne (from Sabá) because of its hugeness which exceeded (all) bounds.
از بزرگی تخت کز حد می‌فزود ** نقل کردن تخت را امکان نبود
It was filigree work, and there was danger in taking it to pieces, (since its parts were joined) like the limbs of the body with one another.
خرده کاری بود و تفریقش خطر ** هم‌چو اوصال بدن با همدگر
Therefore Solomon said, “Although in the end the diadem and throne will become chilling (repulsive) to her”—880
پس سلیمان گفت گر چه فی‌الاخیر ** سرد خواهد شد برو تاج و سریر
(For) when the spirit puts forth its head (manifests itself) from the Unity (to which it has attained), in comparison with its splendour the body hath no splendour (at all);
چون ز وحدت جان برون آرد سری ** جسم را با فر او نبود فری