Know that form springs from spirit (reality) as the lion from the jungle, or as voice and speech from thought.
صورت از معنی چو شیر از بیشه دان ** یا چو آواز و سخن ز اندیشه دان
This speech and voice arose from thought; thou knowest not where is the sea of thought,
این سخن و آواز از اندیشه خاست ** تو ندانی بحر اندیشه کجاست
But since thou hast seen that the waves of speech are fair, thou knowest that their sea also is noble.
لیک چون موج سخن دیدی لطیف ** بحر آن دانی که باشد هم شریف
When the waves of thought sped on from (the sea of) Wisdom, it (Wisdom) made (for them) the form of speech and voice.
چون ز دانش موج اندیشه بتاخت ** از سخن و آواز او صورت بساخت
The form was born of the Word and died again, the wave drew itself back into the sea.1140
از سخن صورت بزاد و باز مرد ** موج خود را باز اندر بحر برد
The form came forth from Formlessness and went back (thither), for Verily unto Him are we returning.
صورت از بی‌‌صورتی آمد برون ** باز شد که إنا إليه راجعون
Every instant, then, thou art dying and returning: Mustafá declared that this world is (but) a moment.
پس ترا هر لحظه مرگ و رجعتی است ** مصطفی فرمود دنیا ساعتی است
Our thought is an arrow (shot) from Him (Hú) into the air (hawá): how should it stay in the air? It comes (back) to God.
فکر ما تیری است از هو در هوا ** در هوا کی پاید آید تا خدا
Every moment the world is renewed, and we are unaware of its being renewed whilst it remains (the same in appearance).
هر نفس نو می‌‌شود دنیا و ما ** بی‌‌خبر از نو شدن اندر بقا
Life is ever arriving anew, like the stream, though in the body it has the semblance of continuity.1145
عمر همچون جوی نو نو می‌‌رسد ** مستمری می‌‌نماید در جسد
From its swiftness it appears continuous, like the spark which thou whirlest rapidly with thy hand.
آن ز تیری مستمر شکل آمده ست ** چون شرر کش تیز جنبانی به دست
If thou whirl a firebrand with dexterity, it appears to the sight as a very long (line of) fire.
شاخ آتش را بجنبانی به ساز ** در نظر آتش نماید بس دراز
The swift motion produced by the action of God presents this length of duration (Time) as (a phenomenon arising) from the rapidity of Divine action.
این درازی مدت از تیزی صنع ** می‌‌نماید سرعت انگیزی صنع
Even if the seeker of this mystery is an exceedingly learned man, (say to him), “Lo, Husámu’ddín, who is a sublime book (where you will find the mystery revealed).”
طالب این سر اگر علامه‌‌ای است ** نک حسام الدین که سامی نامه‌‌ای است
The hare's coming to the lion and the lion's anger with him.
رسیدن خرگوش به شیر و خشم شیر بر وی
The lion, incensed and wrathful and frantic, saw the hare coming from afar,1150
شیر اندر آتش و در خشم و شور ** دید کان خرگوش می‌‌آید ز دور
Running undismayed and confidently, looking angry and fierce and fell and sour,
می‌‌دود بی‌‌دهشت و گستاخ او ** خشمگین و تند و تیز و ترش رو
For by coming humbly (he thought) suspicion would be (excited), while by boldness every cause of doubt would be removed.
کز شکسته آمدن تهمت بود ** وز دلیری دفع هر ریبت بود
When he came further on, near to the “shoe-row,” the lion shouted—“Ha, villain!
چون رسید او پیشتر نزدیک صف ** بانگ بر زد شیرهای ای ناخلف
I who have torn elephants limb from limb, I who have rubbed the ear of (chastised and vanquished) the ferocious lion—
من که گاوان را ز هم بدریده‌‌ام ** من که گوش پیل نر مالیده‌‌ام
Who (what) is a half-witted (feeble) hare, that he should thus throw on the ground (disregard) my behest?”1155
نیم خرگوشی که باشد که چنین ** امر ما را افکند او بر زمین
Abandon the hare's sleep of heedlessness! Give ear, O donkey, to the roaring of this lion!
ترک خواب غفلت خرگوش کن ** غره‌‌ی این شیر ای خر گوش کن
The hare's apology.
عذر گفتن خرگوش
“Mercy!” cried the hare, “I have an excuse, if thy Lordship's pardon come to my aid.”