The empyrean, notwithstanding its wide (far-extending) light, when it beheld that (spirit of Adam), was confounded.
عرش با آن نور با پهنای خویش ** چون بدید آن را برفت از جای خویش
Truly, the magnitude of the empyrean is very great, but who (what) is form when reality has arrived?
خود بزرگی عرش باشد بس مدید ** لیک صورت کیست چون معنی رسید
Every angel was saying (to Adam), ‘Before this (time) we had a friendship (with thee) on the face of the earth.
هر ملک میگفت ما را پیش از این ** الفتی میبود بر گرد زمین
On the earth we were sowing the seed of service (worship): we were marveling at that connexion,2660
تخم خدمت بر زمین میکاشتیم ** ز آن تعلق ما عجب میداشتیم
Marvelling what connexion we had with this dust, inasmuch as our nature is of heaven.
کاین تعلق چیست با این خاکمان ** چون سرشت ما بده ست از آسمان
(We said), Why (this) friendship in us, who are light, with darkness? How can light live with darkness?
الف ما انوار با ظلمات چیست ** چون تواند نور با ظلمات زیست
O Adam, that friendship was owing to the scent of thee, because earth was the woof and warp of thy body.
آدما آن الف از بوی تو بود ** ز آن که جسمت را زمین بد تار و پود
From this place (the earth) thy earthly body was woven, in this place thy pure light was found.
جسم خاکت را از اینجا بافتند ** نور پاکت را در اینجا یافتند
This (light) that our souls have obtained from thy spirit shone erstwhile from the dust.2665
این که جان ما ز روحت یافته ست ** پیش پیش از خاک آن میتافته ست
We were in the earth, and heedless of the earth, heedless of the treasure that lay buried there.
در زمین بودیم و غافل از زمین ** غافل از گنجی که در وی بد دفین
When He (God) bade us journey from that place of abode our palates were soured (we were bitterly grieved) by the change,
چون سفر فرمود ما را ز آن مقام ** تلخ شد ما را از آن تحویل کام
So that we were arguing (and saying), ‘O God, who will come in our stead?
تا که حجتها همیگفتیم ما ** که بجای ما کی آید ای خدا
Wilt Thou sell the splendour of the praise with which we glorify and magnify Thee for babble and palaver?’
نور این تسبیح و این تهلیل را ** میفروشی بهر قال و قیل را
The decree of God spread for us the carpet (of indulgence), (and He said), ‘Speak ye, in the way of boldness2670
حکم حق گسترد بهر ما بساط ** که بگویید از طریق انبساط
(And) without fear, whatever comes upon your tongues, like only children with their father;
هر چه آید بر زبانتان بیحذر ** همچو طفلان یگانه با پدر
For what if these words (of yours) are unseemly? My mercy likewise is prior (superior) to My wrath.
ز آن که این دمها چه گر نالایق است ** رحمت من بر غضب هم سابق است
In order to manifest this priority, O angel, I will put in thee incitement to perplexity and doubt,
از پی اظهار این سبق ای ملک ** در تو بنهم داعیهی اشکال و شک
That thou mayst speak and I not take offence at thee, (so that) none who denies My clemency may dare to utter a word.
تا بگویی و نگیرم بر تو من ** منکر حلمم نیارد دم زدن
Within My (infinite) clemency (the clemencies of) a hundred fathers and a hundred mothers at every moment are born and vanish.2675
صد پدر صد مادر اندر حلم ما ** هر نفس زاید در افتد در فنا
Their clemency is (but) the foam of the sea of My clemency: the foam comes and goes, but the sea is (always) there.’’
حلم ایشان کف بحر حلم ماست ** کف رود آید ولی دریا به جاست
What indeed shall I say? Compared with that pearl (Divine clemency) this oyster-shell (human clemency) is naught but the foam of the foam of the foam of foam.
خود چه گویم پیش آن در این صدف ** نیست الا کف کف کف کف
By the truth of that foam, by the truth of that pure sea, (I swear) that these words (of mine) are not (meant to make) trial of thee and are not vain.
حق آن کف حق آن دریای صاف ** که امتحانی نیست این گفت و نه لاف
They are from (inspired by) love and sincerity and humbleness, (I swear) by the truth of that One to whom I turn.
از سر مهر و صفاء است و خضوع ** حق آن کس که بدو دارم رجوع
If this affection (which I am showing) seems to thee a trial, do thou for one moment put the (supposed) trial (of thee) to the test.2680
گر به پیشت امتحان است این هوس ** امتحان را امتحان کن یک نفس
Do not hide thy secret (but reveal it), in order that mine may be revealed: command anything that I am able to do.
سر مپوشان تا پدید آید سرم ** امر کن تو هر چه بر وی قادرم