If thou interpret (alter) thine own thought (so as to make it agree with the command), ’tis better than that thou shouldst interpret (pervert) this unequivocal (command).
فکر خود را گر کنی تاویل به ** که کنی تاویل این نامشتبه
My heart is burning (melting) at thy supplication, my bosom is filled with blood on account of thy salty tears.1660
دل همی‌سوزد مرا بر لابه‌ات ** سینه‌ام پر خون شد از شورابه‌ات
I am not pitiless; nay, I have greater pity than those three holy ones for the sorrow of the sorrowful.
نیستم بی‌رحم بل زان هر سه پاک ** رحم بیشستم ز درد دردناک
If I am slapping an orphan, while a mild-natured person may put halwá (sweetmeat) in his hand,
گر طبانجه می‌زنم من بر یتیم ** ور دهد حلوا به دستش آن حلیم
Those slaps (of mine) are better (for him) than the other's halwá; and if he be beguiled by the halwá, woe to him!
این طبانجه خوشتر از حلوای او ** ور شود غره به حلوا وای او
My heart is burning at thy lamentable cry, but God is teaching me (to know) a (great) kindness—
بر نفیر تو جگر می‌سوزدم ** لیک حق لطفی همی‌آموزدم
The kindness concealed amidst cruelties, the priceless cornelian hidden in filth.1665
لطف مخفی در میان قهرها ** در حدث پنهان عقیق بی‌بها
The cruelty done by God is better than a hundred clemencies of mine: to withhold the soul from God is agony to the soul.
قهر حق بهتر ز صد حلم منست ** منع کردن جان ز حق جان کندنست
His worst cruelty is better than the clemency of both worlds: how excellent is the Lord of created beings and how excellent (His) help!
بترین قهرش به از حلم دو کون ** نعم رب‌العالمین و نعم عون
In His cruelty there are secret kindnesses: to surrender the soul for His sake increases (the life of) the soul.
لطفهای مضمر اندر قهر او ** جان سپردن جان فزاید بهر او