This perplexity in the heart is like war: (when a man is perplexed he says, “I wonder) whether this is better for my case or that.”
این تردد هست در دل چون وغا ** کین بود به یا که آن حال مرا
In perplexity the fear (of failure) and the hope of success are always in conflict with each other, (now) advancing and (now) retreating.
در تردد می‌زند بر همدگر ** خوف و اومید بهی در کر و فر
A prayer and a seeking refuge with God from the temptation of free-will and from the temptation of those things that minister to free-will; for the heavens and the earths dreaded and feared free-will and the things that minister to it, while the nature of Man is addicted to seeking free-will and all that ministers to his free-will; as (for example) if he is sick he feels himself to have little free-will and desires health, which ministers to free-will, in order that his free-will may be increased; and he desires high office in order that his free-will may be increased. And it was excess of free-will and of whatever ministers to it that caused the wrath of God to fall upon the peoples of the past. No one ever saw Pharaoh destitute.
مناجات و پناه جستن به حق از فتنه‌ی اختیار و از فتنه‌ی اسباب اختیار کی سماوات و ارضین از اختیار و اسباب اختیار شکوهیدند و ترسیدند و خلقت آدمی مولع افتاد بر طلب اختیار و اسباب اختیار خویش چنانک بیمار باشد خود را اختیار کم بیند صحت خواهد کی سبب اختیارست تا اختیارش بیفزاید و منصب خواهد تا اختیارش بیفزاید و مهبط قهر حق در امم ماضیه فرط اختیار و اسباب اختیار بوده است هرگز فرعون بی‌نوا کس ندیده است
From Thee first came this ebb and flow within me; else, O glorious One, this sea (of mine) was still.210
اولم این جزر و مد از تو رسید ** ورنه ساکن بود این بحر ای مجید
From the same source whence Thou gavest me this perplexity, graciously (now) make me unperplexed likewise.
هم از آنجا کین تردد دادیم ** بی‌تردد کن مرا هم از کرم
Thou art afflicting me. Ah, help (me), O Thou by whose affliction men are (made weak) as women.
ابتلاام می‌کنی آه الغیاث ** ای ذکور از ابتلاات چون اناث
How long (will) this affliction (continue)? Do not (afflict me), O Lord! Bestow on me one path, do not make me follow ten paths!
تا بکی این ابتلا یا رب مکن ** مذهبی‌ام بخش و ده‌مذهب مکن
I am (like) an emaciated camel, and my back is wounded by my free-will which resembles a pack-saddle.
اشتری‌ام لاغری و پشت ریش ** ز اختیار هم‌چو پالان‌شکل خویش
At one moment this pannier weighs heavily on this side, at another moment that pannier sags to that side.215
این کژاوه گه شود این سو گران ** آن کژاوه گه شود آن سو کشان
Let the ill-balanced load drop from me, that I may behold the meadow of the pious.
بفکن از من حمل ناهموار را ** تا ببینم روضه‌ی ابرار را
(Then), like the Fellows of the Cave, I shall browse on the orchard of Bounty— not awake, nay, they are asleep.
هم‌چو آن اصحاب کهف از باغ جود ** می‌چرم ایقاظ نی بل هم رقود