I have no hopes from any quarter, but that (Divine) Bounty is saying to me, ‘Do not ye despair!’”
نیستم اومیدوار از هیچ سو ** وان کرم می‌گویدم لا تیاسوا
Our Kháqán (Emperor) has made a perpetual feast (for us): He is always pulling our ears (drawing us thither and saying), “Do not lose hope!”
دایما خاقان ما کردست طو ** گوشمان را می‌کشد لا تقنطوا
Although we are in the ditch (and overwhelmed) by this despair, let us go dancing along since He has invited us.
گرچه ما زین ناامیدی در گویم ** چون صلا زد دست اندازان رویم
Let us dance (along) like mettlesome horses galloping towards the familiar pasturage.
دست اندازیم چون اسپان سیس ** در دویدن سوی مرعای انیس
Let us toss our feet, though no foot is there; let us drain the cup, though no cup is there,4745
گام اندازیم و آنجا گام نی ** جام پردازیم و آنجا جام نی
Because all things there are spiritual: ’tis reality on reality on reality.
زانک آنجا جمله اشیا جانیست ** معنی اندر معنی اندر معنیست
Form is the shadow, reality is the sun: the shadowless light is (only to be found) in the ruin.
هست صورت سایه معنی آفتاب ** نور بی‌سایه بود اندر خراب
When not a brick is left (resting) on a brick there, no ugly shadow remains in the moonlight.
چونک آنجا خشت بر خشتی نماند ** نور مه را سایه‌ی زشتی نماند
(Even) if the brick be of gold it must be torn away, since (the removal of) the brick is the price paid for inspiration and light.
خشت اگر زرین بود بر کندنیست ** چون بهای خشت وحی و روشنیست
In order to remove the shadow (of materiality) the mountain (Sinai) is rased to the ground: ’tis a small matter to fall to pieces for the sake of this light.4750
کوه بهر دفع سایه مندکست ** پاره گشتن بهر این نور اندکست