How can Khalíl (Abraham) agree with Ázar? How can a guide agree with a brigand?”2125
چون تواند ساخت با آزر خلیل ** چون تواند ساخت با ره‌زن دلیل
How the disciple gained his wish and met the Shaykh near the forest.
یافتن مرید مراد را و ملاقات او با شیخ نزدیک آن بیشه
He was (absorbed) in this (perplexity) when suddenly the renowned Shaykh appeared before him, riding on a lion.
اندرین بود او که شیخ نامدار ** زود پیش افتاد بر شیری سوار
The roaring lion carried his faggots, while that blessed one sat on the top of them.
شیر غران هیزمش را می‌کشید ** بر سر هیزم نشسته آن سعید
Because of the honour (in which God held him) his whip was a fierce serpent: he had grasped the serpent in his hand, like an ass-goad.
تازیانه‌ش مار نر بود از شرف ** مار را بگرفته چون خرزن به کف
Know for certain that likewise every Shaykh that exists is riding on a furious lion.
تو یقین می‌دان که هر شیخی که هست ** هم سواری می‌کند بر شیر مست
Although that (riding) and this (lion) are not perceived by the senses, yet ’tis not concealed from the spiritual eye.2130
گرچه آن محسوس و این محسوس نیست ** لیک آن بر چشم جان ملبوس نیست
Under their (the saints') thighs a hundred thousand lions carrying faggots are (present) before the eye that knows the Unseen;
صد هزاران شیر زیر را نشان ** پیش دیده‌ی غیب‌دان هیزم‌کشان
But God has (sometimes) made them visible singly, in order that even he who is not a (holy) man may behold them.
لیک یک یک را خدا محسوس کرد ** تا که بیند نیز او که نیست مرد
That (spiritual) prince saw him (the disciple) from afar and laughed and said (to him), “O you who are tempted, do not listen to it (the evil suggestion) from the Devil.”
دیدش از دور و بخندید آن خدیو ** گفت آن را مشنو ای مفتون دیو
The venerable (saint) knew his secret thought by the light of the heart: yea, ’tis an excellent guide (to knowledge of the occult).
از ضمیر او بدانست آن جلیل ** هم ز نور دل بلی نعم الدلیل