If the inward “state” is not to be told, (yet) I will tell thee the outward “state” in a word or two,
حال باطن گر نمی‌آید بگفت ** حال ظاهر گویمت در طاق وجفت
(Namely), that by grace of the Beloved the bitternesses of death were made sweeter than sugar-cane to the soul.
که ز لطف یار تلخیهای مات ** گشت بر جان خوشتر از شکرنبات
If the dust from that sugar-cane should enter the sea, all the bitterness of the sea would become sweet.3640
زان نبات ار گرد در دریا رود ** تلخی دریا همه شیرین شود
Even so a hundred thousand “states” came (hither) and went back to the Unseen, O trusted one.
صدهزار احوال آمد هم‌چنین ** باز سوی غیب رفتند ای امین
Each day’s “state” is not like (that of) the day before: (they are passing) as a rive that hath no obstacle in its course.
حال هر روزی بدی مانند نی ** هم‌چو جو اندر روش کش بند نی
Each day’s joy is of a different kind, each day’s thought makes a different impression.
شادی هر روز از نوعی دگر ** فکرت هر روز را دیگر اثر
Comparison of the human body to a guest-house and of the diverse thoughts to the diverse guests. The gnostic, acquiescing in those thoughts of sorrow or joy, resembles a hospitable person who treats strangers with kindness., like Khalíl (Abraham); for Khalíl’s door was always open to receive his guest with honour— infidel and true believer and trusty and treacherous alike; and he would show a cheerful face to all his guests.
تمثیل تن آدمی به مهمان‌خانه و اندیشه‌های مختلف به مهمانان مختلف عارف در رضا بدان اندیشه‌های غم و شادی چون شخص مهمان‌دوست غریب‌نواز خلیل‌وار کی در خلیل باکرام ضیف پیوسته باز بود بر کافر و مومن و امین و خاین و با همه مهمانان روی تازه داشتی
This body, O youth, is a guest house: every morning a new guest comes running (into it).
هست مهمان‌خانه این تن ای جوان ** هر صباحی ضیف نو آید دوان
Beware, do not say, “This (guest) is a burden to me,” for presently he will fly back into non-existence.3645
هین مگو کین مانند اندر گردنم ** که هم اکنون باز پرد در عدم
Whatsoever comes into thy heart from the invisible world is they guest: entertain it well!
هرچه آید از جهان غیب‌وش ** در دلت ضیفست او را دار خوش
Story of the guest concerning whom the wife of the master of the house said, “The rain has set in, and our guest is left on our hands.”
حکایت آن مهمان کی زن خداوند خانه گفت کی باران فرو گرفت و مهمان در گردن ما ماند
A guest came to a certain man at a late hour: he (the master of the house) made him (at home) like a collar on the neck.
آن یکی را بیگهان آمد قنق ** ساخت او را هم‌چو طوق اندر عنق