We (too) came hither as strangers from that place (realm): why shouldst thou be specially endowed (with prophecy), O accomplished one?”
ما از آنجا آمدیم اینجا غریب ** تو چرا مخصوص باشی ای ادیب
(He replied), “Did not ye come like a sleeping child? Ye were ignorant of the way and the destination.
نه شما چون طفل خفته آمدیت ** بی‌خبر از راه وز منزل بدیت
Ye passed through the (different) stages asleep and intoxicated, unconscious of the way and (its) ups and downs;1125
از منازل خفته بگذشتید و مست ** بی‌خبر از راه و از بالا و پست
(But) we (prophets) set out in wakefulness and well (aware) from beyond the five (senses) and the six (directions) to (this world of) the five and six,
ما به بیداری روان گشتیم و خوش ** از ورای پنج و شش تا پنج و شش
Having perceived (all) the stages from the source and foundation, possessed of experience and knowing the way like (skilled) guides.”
دیده منزلها ز اصل و از اساس ** چون قلاووز آن خبیر و ره‌شناس
They said to the king, “Put him to the rack, that a person of his sort may never (again) speak such words.”
شاه را گفتند اشکنجه‌ش بکن ** تا نگوید جنس او هیچ این سخن
The king saw that he was very thin and infirm, so that such an emaciated man would die at a single blow.
شاه دیدش بس نزار و بس ضعیف ** که به یک سیلی بمیرد آن نحیف
(He thought to himself), “How is it possible to torture or beat him, since his body has become as (fragile as) a glass?1130
کی توان او را فشردن یا زدن ** که چو شیشه گشته است او را بدن
But I will speak to him kindly and say, ‘Why dost thou boast of (this) high estate?’
لیک با او گویم از راه خوشی ** که چرا داری تو لاف سر کشی
For here harshness is of no use: ’tis by gentleness that the snake puts forth its head (is induced to come forth) from the hole.”
که درشتی ناید اینجا هیچ کار ** هم به نرمی سر کند از غار مار