(Reason says), “If I keep silence, I fear that that Sun will rend the veil and (display Himself) from another quarter.”
ترسم ار خامش کنم آن آفتاب ** از سوی دیگر بدراند حجاب
In (keeping) silence our (inward) speaking (of Him) is (only) made more evident, since the desire (for manifestation) is increased by suppression.
در خموشی گفت ما اظهر شود ** که ز منع آن میل افزون‌تر شود
If the Sea roar, its roaring turns to foam and becomes the surge of “I desired to be known.”
گر بغرد بحر غره‌ش کف شود ** جوش احببت بان اعرف شود
To utter words (concerning Him) is to shut the window (through which He reveals Himself): the very act of expression is the concealment (of Him).
حرف گفتن بستن آن روزنست ** عین اظهار سخن پوشیدنست
Sing, like nightingales, in the presence of the Rose, in order that you may divert them from the scent of the Rose,700
بلبلانه نعره زن در روی گل ** تا کنی مشغولشان از بوی گل
So that their ears will be engaged in (listening to) the song, and their attention will not fly to the face of the Rose.
تا به قل مغشول گردد گوششان ** سوی روی گل نپرد هوششان
Before this Sun, which is exceedingly radiant, every guide is in reality a highway robber.
پیش این خورشید کو بس روشنیست ** در حقیقت هر دلیلی ره‌زنیست
Story of the minstrel who began to sing this ode at the banquet of the Turkish Amír: “Art Thou a rose or a lily or a cypress or a man? I know not. What dost Thou desire from this bewildered one who has lost his heart? I know not”— and how the Turk shouted at him, “Tell of that which you know!”—and the minstrel's reply to the Amír.
حکایت آن مطرب کی در بزم امیر ترک این غزل آغاز کرد گلی یا سوسنی یا سرو یا ماهی نمی‌دانم ازین آشفته‌ی بی‌دل چه می‌خواهی نمی‌دانم و بانگ بر زدن ترک کی آن بگو کی می‌دانی و جواب مطرب امیر را
In the presence of the drunken Turk the minstrel began (to sing of) the mysteries of Alast under the veil of melody—
مطرب آغازید پیش ترک مست ** در حجاب نغمه اسرار الست
“I know not whether Thou art a moon or an idol, I know not what Thou desirest of me.
من ندانم که تو ماهی یا وثن ** من ندانم تا چه می‌خواهی ز من
I know not what service I shall pay Thee, whether I shall keep silence or express Thee in words.705
می‌ندانم که چه خدمت آرمت ** تن زنم یا در عبارت آرمت