For that one (Pharaoh) was a black stone, this one (Halláj) a cornelian; that one was an enemy to the Light, and this one passionately enamoured (of it).
زانک او سنگ سیه بد این عقیق ** آن عدوی نور بود و این عشیق
This “I,” O presumptuous meddler, was “He” (God) in the inmost consciousness, through oneness with the Light, not through (belief in) the doctrine of incarnation.
این انا هو بود در سر ای فضول ** ز اتحاد نور نه از رای حلول
Strive that thy stony nature may be diminished, so that thy stone may become resplendent with the qualities of the ruby.
جهد کن تا سنگیت کمتر شود ** تا به لعلی سنگ تو انور شود
Show fortitude in (enduring) self-mortification and affliction; continually behold everlasting life in dying to self.2040
صبر کن اندر جهاد و در عنا ** دم به دم می‌بین بقا اندر فنا
(Then) thy stoniness will become less at every moment, the nature of the ruby will be strengthened in thee.
وصف سنگی هر زمان کم می‌شود ** وصف لعلی در تو محکم می‌شود
The qualities of (self-)existence will depart from thy body, the qualities of intoxication (ecstasy) will increase in thy head (thy spiritual centre).
وصف هستی می‌رود از پیکرت ** وصف مستی می‌فزاید در سرت
Become entirely hearing, like an ear, in order that thou mayst gain an ear-ring of ruby.
سمع شو یکبارگی تو گوشوار ** تا ز حلقه‌ی لعل یابی گوشوار
If thou art a man, dig earth, like a well-digger, from this earthen body, that thou mayst reach some water;
هم‌چو چه کن خاک می‌کن گر کسی ** زین تن خاکی که در آبی رسی
(And) if the pull (inspiration) of God come (to thee), the running water will bubble up from the earth without thy well having been dug.2045
گر رسد جذبه‌ی خدا آب معین ** چاه ناکنده بجوشد از زمین
Be always working, do not pay heed to that (hope of being enabled to dispense with work): keep scraping away the earth of the (bodily) well little by little.
کار می‌کن تو بگوش آن مباش ** اندک اندک خاک چه را می‌تراش