So that we heard of the chastisements which God inflicted upon the past generations in the preceding time,
تا شنیدیم آن سیاستهای حق ** بر قرون ماضیه اندر سبق
That we, like the fox, may keep better watch over ourselves from (considering) the fate of those ancient wolves.
تا که ما از حال آن گرگان پیش ** همچو روبه پاس خود داریم بیش
On this account he that is God's prophet and veracious in explanation called us “a people on which God has taken mercy.”3120
امت مرحومه زین رو خواندمان ** آن رسول حق و صادق در بیان
Behold with clear vision the bones and fur of those wolves, and take warning, O mighty ones!
استخوان و پشم آن گرگان عیان ** بنگرید و پند گیرید ای مهان
The wise man will put off from his head (lay aside) this self-existence and wind (of vanity), since he heard (what was) the end of the Pharaohs and ‘Ád;
عاقل از سر بنهد این هستی و باد ** چون شنید انجام فرعونان و عاد
And if he do not put it off, others will take warning from what befell him in consequence of his being misguided.
ور بننهد دیگران از حال او ** عبرتی گیرند از اضلال او
How Noah, on whom be peace, threatened his people, saying, “Do not struggle with me, for I am (only) a veil: ye are really struggling with God (who is) within this (veil), O God-forsaken men!”
تهدید کردن نوح علیه السلام مر قوم را که با من مپیچید که من رو پوشم در میان پس به حقیقت با خدای میپیچید ای مخذولان
Noah said, “O ye headstrong ones, I am not I: I am dead to the (animal) soul, I am living through the Soul of souls.
گفت نوح ای سرکشان من من نیام ** من ز جان مرده به جانان میزیام
Inasmuch as I am dead to the senses of the father of mankind (human sense perceptions), God has become my hearing and perception and sight.3125
چون بمردم از حواس بو البشر ** حق مرا شد سمع و ادراک و بصر
Since I am not I, this breath (of mine) is from Him: in the presence of this breath if any one breathes (a word) he is an infidel.”
چون که من من نیستم این دم ز هوست ** پیش این دم هر که دم زد کافر اوست
In the form of this fox there is the lion: ’tis not fitting to advance boldly towards this fox.
هست اندر نقش این روباه شیر ** سوی این روبه نشاید شد دلیر
Unless thou believe in him from his exterior aspect (accept him in the form in which he appears), thou wilt not hear from him the lions' roar.
گر ز روی صورتش مینگروی ** غرهی شیران از او مینشنوی
Unless Noah had had a hand (a powerful aid) from God, why should he have cast a whole world into confusion?
گر نبودی نوح را از حق یدی ** پس جهانی را چرا بر هم زدی
He was hundreds of thousands of lions in a single body; he was like fire, and the world (like) a stack.3130
صد هزاران شیر بود او در تنی ** او چو آتش بود و عالم خرمنی
Forasmuch as the stack neglected (to pay) the tithe due to him, he launched such a flame against that stack.
چون که خرمن پاس عشر او نداشت ** او چنان شعله بر آن خرمن گماشت
Whosoever in the presence of this hidden Lion opens his mouth disrespectfully, like the wolf,
هر که او در پیش این شیر نهان ** بیادب چون گرگ بگشاید دهان
That Lion will tear him to pieces, as (he tore) the wolf, and will recite to him (the text) So we took vengeance upon them.
همچو گرگ آن شیر بردراندش ** فانتقمنا منهم بر خواندش
He will suffer blows, like the wolf, from the Lion's paw: foolish is he that waxed bold in the presence of the Lion.
زخم یابد همچو گرگ از دست شیر ** پیش شیر ابله بود کاو شد دلیر
Would that those blows fell upon the body, so that it might be that (the sinner's) faith and heart would be safe!3135
کاشکی آن زخم بر تن آمدی ** تا بدی کایمان و دل سالم بدی
My power is broken (fails me) on reaching this point: how can I declare this mystery?
قوتم بگسست چون اینجا رسید ** چون توانم کرد این سر را پدید
Make little of your bellies, like that fox: do not play fox's tricks in His presence.
همچو آن روبه کم اشکم کنید ** پیش او روباه بازی کم کنید
Lay the whole of your “we” and “I” before Him: the kingdom is His kingdom: give the kingdom to Him.
جمله ما و من به پیش او نهید ** ملک ملک اوست ملک او را دهید
When ye become poor (selfless) in the right Way, verily the Lion and the Lion's prey are yours,
چون فقیر آیید اندر راه راست ** شیر و صید شیر خود آن شماست
Because He is holy, and Glory is His attribute: He hath no need of good things and kernel or rind.3140
ز آنکه او پاک است و سبحان وصف اوست ** بینیاز است او ز نغز و مغز و پوست
Every prize and every gift of grace that exists is for the sake of the servants of that King (God).
هر شکار و هر کراماتی که هست ** از برای بندگان آن شه است
The King hath no desire (for anything): He hath made all this empire for His creatures. Happy is he that knew!
نیست شه را طمع بهر خلق ساخت ** این همه دولت خنک آن کاو شناخت