Oh, alas, would that thou hadst comprehension, so that the unfolded tale of my heart might be shown forth to thee from my soul.
ای دریغا مر ترا گنجا بدی ** تا ز جانم شرح دل پیدا شدی
This discourse is milk in the teat of the soul: it will not flow well without some one to suck (the teat).
این سخن شیر است در پستان جان ** بی‌‌کشنده خوش نمی‌‌گردد روان
When the hearer has become thirsty and craving, the preacher, (even) if he be (as good as) dead, becomes eloquent.
مستمع چون تشنه و جوینده شد ** واعظ ار مرده بود گوینده شد
When the hearer is fresh and without fatigue (not bored), the dumb and mute will find a hundred tongues to speak withal.2380
مستمع چون تازه آمد بی‌‌ملال ** صد زبان گردد به گفتن گنگ و لال
When a stranger comes in at my door, the women of the harem hide themselves in the veil,
چون که نامحرم در آید از درم ** پرده در پنهان شوند اهل حرم
But if a harmless relative should come in, those covered ones will lift up their face-veils.
ور در آید محرمی دور از گزند ** بر گشایند آن ستیران روی‌‌بند
Everything that is made beautiful and fair and lovely is made (so) for the eye of him that sees.
هر چه را خوب و خوش و زیبا کنند ** از برای دیده‌‌ی بینا کنند
How should the sound of the harp and treble and bass be (made) for the insentient ear of one who is deaf?
کی بود آواز چنگ و زیر و بم ** از برای گوش بی‌‌حس اصم
Not in vain did God make musk fragrant: He made it (so) for the sense (of smell), He did not make it for one whose nostrils are stopped (by disease).2385
مشک را بی‌‌هوده حق خوش دم نکرد ** بهر حس کرد او پی اخشم نکرد
God hath fashioned the earth and the sky, He hath raised in the midst much fire and light.
حق زمین و آسمان بر ساخته ست ** در میان بس نار و نور افراخته ست
(He made) this earth for those (created) of clay, (He made) heaven to be the abode of the celestials.
این زمین را از برای خاکیان ** آسمان را مسکن افلاکیان
The low (base) man is the enemy of what is high: the purchaser (seeker) of each place (Heaven or Hell) is manifest (made known by his actions).
مرد سفلی دشمن بالا بود ** مشتری هر مکان پیدا بود
O chaste woman, hast thou ever risen up and decked thyself for the sake of him that is blind?
ای ستیره هیچ تو برخاستی ** خویشتن را بهر کور آراستی
If I should fill the world with hidden pearls (of wisdom), how should I fare (what good would it do me), since they are not thy portion (since thou art unfit to receive them)?2390
گر جهان را پر در مکنون کنم ** روزی تو چون نباشد چون کنم
O wife, take leave of quarrelling and waylaying, and if thou wilt not, (then) take leave of me!
ترک جنگ و ره زنی ای زن بگو ** ور نمی‌‌گویی به ترک من بگو
What room have I for quarrelling with the good or the bad? —for this heart of mine is recoiling (even) from acts of peace.
مر مرا چه جای جنگ نیک و بد ** کاین دلم از صلحها هم می‌‌رمد
If thou keep silence, (’tis well), and if not, I will so do that at this very moment I will leave my house and home.”
گر خمش کردی و گرنه آن کنم ** که همین دم ترک خان و مان کنم
How the wife paid regard to her husband and begged God to forgive her for what she had said.
مراعات کردن زن شوهر را و استغفار کردن از گفته‌‌ی خویش
When the wife saw that he was fierce and unmanageable, she began to weep: tears in sooth are a woman's lure.
زن چو دید او را که تند و توسن است ** گشت گریان گریه خود دام زن است
She said, “When did I imagine such (words) from thee? I hoped of thee something different.”2395
گفت از تو کی چنین پنداشتم ** از تو من اومید دیگر داشتم
The wife approached by the way of self-naughting (self-abasement). “I am thy dust,” said she, “not (worthy to be) thy lady-wife.
زن در آمد از طریق نیستی ** گفت من خاک شمایم نه ستی
Body and soul and all I am is thine: the entire authority and command belongs to thee.
جسم و جان و هر چه هستم آن تست ** حکم و فرمان جملگی فرمان تست
If because of poverty my heart has lost patience, it is not for my own sake, but for thine.
گر ز درویشی دلم از صبر جست ** بهر خویشم نیست آن بهر تو است
Thou hast been my remedy in afflictions: I am unwilling that thou shouldst be penniless.
تو مرا در دردها بودی دوا ** من نمی‌‌خواهم که باشی بی‌‌نوا
By thy soul, this is not for my own sake: this wailing and moaning of mine is on account of thee.2400
جان تو کز بهر خویشم نیست این ** از برای تستم این ناله و حنین
(I swear) by God that at every moment my self would fain die for thy self before thee.
خویش من و الله که بهر خویش تو ** هر نفس خواهد که میرد پیش تو