(Yet), if I should not utter even this (little) amount, O trusted (friend), the phial, (which is) my heart, would burst from weakness (inability to contain its emotion).
این قدر گر هم نگویم ای سند ** شیشه‌ی دل از ضعیفی بشکند
Since I have seen my heart's phial (to be) fragile, I have rent many a mantle in order to allay (my pain).
Beyond doubt, O worshipful one, I must become mad for three days at the beginning of every month.
من سر هر ماه سه روز ای صنم ** بی‌گمان باید که دیوانه شوم
Hark, to-day is the first of the triduum: ’tis the day of triumph (pírúz), not (the day of) the turquoise (pírúza).
هین که امروز اول سه روزه است ** روز پیروزست نه پیروزه است
Every heart that is in love with the King, for it (for that heart) ’tis always the beginning of the month.1890
هر دلی که اندر غم شه می‌بود ** دم به دم او را سر مه می‌بود
Since I have become mad, the story of Mahmúd and the description of Ayáz are now out of order.
قصه‌ی محمود و اوصاف ایاز ** چون شدم دیوانه رفت اکنون ز ساز
Explaining that what is related (here) is (only) the outward form of the Story, and that it is a form befitting these (hearers) who apprehend (no more than) the external form and suitable to the mirror of their imagination, whereas the real essence of the Story is so transcendent that speech is ashamed to reveal it, and from (being overcome with) confusion (the writer) loses head, beard, and pen. And a hint is enough for the wise.
بیان آنک آنچ بیان کرده می‌شود صورت قصه است وانگه آن صورتیست کی در خورد این صورت گیرانست و درخورد آینه‌ی تصویر ایشان و از قدوسیتی کی حقیقت این قصه راست نطق را ازین تنزیل شرم می‌آید و از خجالت سر و ریش و قلم گم می‌کند و العاقل یکفیه الاشاره
Forasmuch as my elephant has dreamed of Hindustán, abandon hope of (receiving) the tax: the village is ruined.
زانک پیلم دید هندستان به خواب ** از خراج اومید بر ده شد خراب
How should poesy and rhyme come to me after the foundations of sanity are destroyed?
کیف یاتی النظم لی والقافیه ** بعد ما ضاعت اصول العافیه
’Tis not (merely) one madness I have amidst the sorrows of love; nay, but madness on madness on madness.
ما جنون واحد لی فی الشجون ** بل جنون فی جنون فی جنون
My body is wasted away by secret indications of the mysteries, ever since I beheld eternal life (baqá) in dying to self (faná).1895
ذاب جسمی من اشارات الکنی ** منذ عاینت البقاء فی الفنا