In consequence of the sin which proceeded from that man of goodly qualities (Joseph), he was left in prison for several years by the (Divine) Judge,
زین گنه کامد از آن نیکوخصال ** ماند در زندان ز داور چند سال
Who said, “What failure was shown by the Sun of justice that thou shouldst fall, like a bat, into the blackness (of night)?
که چه تقصیر آمد از خورشید داد ** تا تو چون خفاش افتی در سواد
Hark, what failure was shown by the sea and the cloud that thou shouldst seek help from the sand and the mirage?3410
هین چه تقصیر آمد از بحر و سحاب ** تا تو یاری خواهی از ریگ و سراب
If the vulgar are bats by nature and unreal (unspiritual), thou, at least, O Joseph, hast the eye of the falcon.
عام اگر خفاش طبعند و مجاز ** یوسفا داری تو آخر چشم باز
If a bat went into the blind and blue (the world of darkness and misery), (’tis no wonder, but) after all what ailed the falcon that had seen the Sultan?”
گر خفاشی رفت در کور و کبود ** باز سلطان دیده را باری چه بود
Therefore the (Divine) Master punished him for this sin, saying, “Do not make thy prop of rotten wood”;
پس ادب کردش بدین جرم اوستاد ** که مساز از چوب پوسیده عماد
But He caused Joseph to be engrossed with Him, to the end that his heart should not be pained by that imprisonment.
لیک یوسف را به خود مشغول کرد ** تا نیاید در دلش زان حبس درد
God gave him such intimate joy and rapture that neither the prison nor the mirk (of his dungeon) remained (visible) to him.3415
آن‌چنانش انس و مستی داد حق ** که نه زندان ماند پیشش نه غسق
There is no prison more frightful than the womb—noisome and dark and full of blood and unhealthy;
نیست زندانی وحش‌تر از رحم ** ناخوش و تاریک و پرخون و وخم
(Yet), when God has opened for you a window in His direction, your body (hidden) in the womb grows more (and more) every moment,
چون گشادت حق دریچه سوی خویش ** در رحم هر دم فزاید تنت بیش