That exalted (monarch) was in the midst (depths) of their souls, but he had purposely feigned to be unfamiliar (with them).
در میان جانشان بود آن سمی ** لک قاصد کرده خود را اعجمی
The form (appearance) of the fire is beneath the kettle; the spirit (reality) of the fire is in the soul of the kettle.
صورت آتش بود پایان دیگ ** معنی آتش بود در جان دیگ
Its form is outside and its spirit inside: the spirit (real nature) of the soul's Beloved is (in the soul) like blood in the veins.4400
صورتش بیرون و معنیش اندرون ** معنی معشوق جان در رگ چو خون
The prince knelt before the King, (while) ten announcers gave a description of his state.
شاه‌زاده پیش شه زانو زده ** ده معرف شارح حالش شده
Although the King knew it all long ago, yet the announcer was performing the duties of his office.
گرچه شه عارف بد از کل پیش پیش ** لیک می‌کردی معرف کار خویش
O sincere man, a single atom of the light of (mystic) knowledge within (thee) is better than a hundred announcers.
در درون یک ذره نور عارفی ** به بود از صد معرف ای صفی
To confine one's attention to the announcer is a mark of being debarred (from access to real knowledge) and of (being preoccupied with) conjecture and (mere) opinion.
گوش را رهن معرف داشتن ** آیت محجوبیست و حزر و ظن
He whose scout is his inward eye—his eye will behold with the very acme of clairvoyance.4405
آنک او را چشم دل شد دیدبان ** دید خواهد چشم او عین العیان
His soul is not content with traditional authority; nay, his feeling of (absolute) certainty comes from the inward eye.
با تواتر نیست قانع جان او ** بل ز چشم دل رسد ایقان او
Then the announcer opened his lips to describe his (the eldest brother's) plight in the presence of the elect King.