For the sake of blind conformity and (for the sake of following) traditional ideas, they set their feet (trampled) on the camels of Reason, this venerable Guide.
از پی تقلید و معقولات نقل ** پا نهاده بر جمال پیر عقل
They were not eager for a guide (pír-khar): they all had become (like) an old donkey (pír khar) from paying hypocritical observance to each other's eyes and ears.
پیر خر نی جمله گشته پیر خر ** از ریای چشم و گوش همدگر
God brought the (devout) worshippers from Paradise that He might show unto them the nurslings of Hell-fire.
از بهشت آورد یزدان بردگان ** تا نمایدشان سقر پروردگان
On the meaning of “He let the two seas go to meet one another: between them is a barrier which they do not seek (to cross).”
در معنی آن که مرج البحرين يلتقیان بينهما برزخ لا يبغیان
Behold the people of (destined for) the Fire and those of Paradise dwelling in the same shop, (yet) between them is a barrier which they do not seek to cross.2570
اهل نار و خلد را بین هم دکان ** در میانشان برزخ لا یبغیان
He hath mixed the people of the Fire and the people of the Light: between them He hath reared the mountain of Qáf.
اهل نار و اهل نور آمیخته ** در میانشان کوه قاف انگیخته
He hath mixed (them) like earth and gold in the mine: between them are a hundred deserts and caravanserays.
همچو در کان خاک و زر کرد اختلاط ** در میانشان صد بیابان و رباط
(They are) mixed even as pearls and jet beads in the necklace, (soon to be parted) like guests of a single night.
همچنان که عقد در در و شبه ** مختلط چون میهمان یک شبه
One half of the sea is sweet like sugar: the taste sweet, the colour bright as the moon.
بحر را نیمیش شیرین چون شکر ** طعم شیرین رنگ روشن چون قمر
The other half is bitter as snake's venom: the taste bitter and the colour dark as pitch.2575
نیم دیگر تلخ همچون زهر مار ** طمع تلخ و رنگ مظلم قیروار
Both (halves) dash against one another, from beneath and from the top, wave on wave like the water of the sea.
هر دو بر هم می‌‌زنند از تحت و اوج ** بر مثال آب دریا موج موج
The appearance of collision, (arising) from the narrow body, is (due to) the spirits' being intermingled in peace or war.
صورت بر هم زدن از جسم تنگ ** اختلاط جانها در صلح و جنگ
The waves of peace dash against each other and root up hatreds from (men's) breasts.
موجهای صلح بر هم می‌‌زند ** کینه‌‌ها از سینه‌‌ها بر می‌‌کند
In other form do the waves of war turn (men's) loves upside down (confound and destroy them).
موجهای جنگ بر شکل دگر ** مهرها را می‌‌کند زیر و زبر
Love is drawing the bitter ones to the sweet, because the foundation of (all) loves is righteousness.2580
مهر تلخان را به شیرین می‌‌کشد ** ز آن که اصل مهرها باشد رشد
Wrath is carrying away the sweet one to bitterness: how should the bitter sort with (be suited to) the sweet?
قهر شیرین را به تلخی می‌‌برد ** تلخ با شیرین کجا اندر خورد
The bitter and the sweet are not visible to this (ocular) sight, (but) they can be seen through the window of the latter end.
تلخ و شیرین زین نظر ناید پدید ** از دریچه‌‌ی عاقبت دانند دید
The eye that sees the end (ákhir) can see truly; the eye that sees (only) the stable (ákhur) is delusion and error.
چشم آخر بین تواند دید راست ** چشم آخر بین غرور است و خطاست
Oh, many the one that is sweet as sugar, but poison is concealed in the sugar.
ای بسا شیرین که چون شکر بود ** لیک زهر اندر شکر مضمر بود
He that is more sagacious (than the rest) will know it by the smell; another (only) when it touches his lips and teeth:2585
آن که زیرک‌‌تر به بو بشناسدش ** و آن دگر چون بر لب و دندان زدش
Then his lips will reject it before (it reaches) his throat, although the Devil is shouting, “Eat ye!”
پس لبش ردش کند پیش از گلو ** گر چه نعره می‌‌زند شیطان کلوا