He has suffered the pain but never seen the gain (that comes) from the Beloved: he has done (many) works (of devotion) but never seen the wages for his work.
رنج دیده گنج نادیده ز یار ** کارها کرده ندیده مزد کار
Either the essential thing was not in his work at all, or by (Divine) decree the hour for the reward has not yet arrived.
یا نبود آن کار او را خود گهر ** یا نیامد وقت پاداش از قدر
Either his labour has been like the labour of the Jews, or the recompense has been connected with (deferred till) the appointed season.
یا که بود آن سعی چون سعی جهود ** یا جزا وابسته‌ی میقات بود
For him ’tis sorrow and misfortune enough that he is without any one (to succour him) in this vale full of blood.
مر ورا درد و مصیبت این بس است ** که درین وادی پر خون بی‌کس است
His eyes are painful, and he sits in a corner, sour-faced and chop-fallen.3525
چشم پر درد و نشسته او به کنج ** رو ترش کرده فرو افکنده لنج
There is no oculist to sympathise with him, nor has he any intelligence that he should find the way to a collyrium.
نه یکی کحال کو را غم خورد ** نیش عقلی که به کحلی پی برد
He is making a (great) effort with (the help of) conjecture and opinion: the matter rests in ‘maybe’ till it turn out well.
اجتهادی می‌کند با حزر و ظن ** کار در بوکست تا نیکو شدن
Far is the road he must travel ere he sees the Beloved, because he does not seek the head; his desire is headship.
زان رهش دورست تا دیدار دوست ** کو نجوید سر رئیسیش آرزوست
At one time he is (engaged) in reproach, saying (to God), ‘The portion allotted to me from this calculation (of mine) is (nothing but) pain.’
ساعتی او با خدا اندر عتاب ** که نصیبم رنج آمد زین حساب
At another time he is (engaged) in a quarrel with his own luck, saying, ‘All (the others) are flying, and we have our wings cut off.’”3530
ساعتی با بخت خود اندر جدال ** که همه پران و ما ببریده بال