The loving friend came from the ends of the earth and became the guest of Joseph the truthful,
آمد از آفاق یار مهربان ** یوسف صدیق را شد میهمان
For they had been acquainted in childhood, reclining (together) on the cushion of acquaintance.
کآشنا بودند وقت کودکی ** بر وساده‌‌ی آشنایی متکی
He spoke to him (Joseph) of the injustice and envy of his brethren: Joseph said, “That was (like) a chain, and I was the lion.
یاد دادش جور اخوان و حسد ** گفت کان زنجیر بود و ما اسد
The lion is not disgraced by the chain: I do not complain of God's destiny.3160
عار نبود شیر را از سلسله ** نیست ما را از قضای حق گله
If the lion had a chain on his neck, (yet) he was prince over all the chain-makers.”
شیر را بر گردن ار زنجیر بود ** بر همه زنجیر سازان میر بود
He asked, “How wert thou in regard to the prison and the well?” “Like the moon,” said Joseph, “in the interlunar period (when she is) on the wane.”
گفت چون بودی ز زندان و ز چاه ** گفت همچون در محاق و کاست ماه
If in that period the new moon is bent double, does not she at last become the full moon in the sky?
در محاق ار ماه نو گردد دو تا ** نی در آخر بدر گردد بر سما
Though the seed-pearl is pounded in the mortar, it becomes the light of eye and heart and looks aloft.
گر چه دردانه به هاون کوفتند ** نور چشم و دل شد و بیند بلند
They cast a grain of wheat under earth, then from its earth they raised up ears of corn;3165
گندمی را زیر خاک انداختند ** پس ز خاکش خوشه‌‌ها بر ساختند
Once more they crushed it with the mill: its value increased and it became soul invigorating bread;
بار دیگر کوفتندش ز آسیا ** قیمتش افزود و نان شد جان فزا
Again they crushed the bread under their teeth: it became the mind and spirit and understanding of one endowed with reason;
باز نان را زیر دندان کوفتند ** گشت عقل و جان و فهم هوشمند
Again, when that spirit became lost in Love, it became (as that which) rejoiceth the sowers after the sowing.
باز آن جان چون که محو عشق گشت ** يعجب الزراع آمد بعد کشت
This discourse hath no end. Come back, that we may see what that good man said to Joseph.
این سخن پایان ندارد باز گرد ** تا که با یوسف چه گفت آن نیک مرد
After he (Joseph) had told him his story, he (Joseph) said, “Now, O so-and-so, what traveller's gift hast thou brought for me?”3170
بعد قصه گفتنش گفت ای فلان ** هین چه آوردی تو ما را ارمغان
O youth, he who is empty-handed at the door of friends is like a man without wheat in the mill.
بر در یاران تهی دست ای فتی ** هست چون بی‌‌گندمی در آسیا
God, exalted is He, will say to the people at the gathering (for Judgement), “Where is your present for the Day of Resurrection?
حق تعالی خلق را گوید به حشر ** ارمغان کو از برای روز نشر
Ye have come to Us and alone without provision, just in the same guise as We created you.
جئتمونا و فرادی بی‌‌نوا ** هم بدان سان که خلقناکم کذا
Hark, what have ye brought as an offering—a gift on homecoming for the Day when ye rise from the dead?
هین چه آوردید دست آویز را ** ارمغانی روز رستاخیز را
Or had ye no hope of returning? Did the promise of (meeting Me) to-day seem vain to you?”3175
یا امید باز گشتنتان نبود ** وعده‌‌ی امروز باطلتان نمود
Dost thou (O reader) disbelieve in the promise of being His guest? Then from the kitchen (of His bounty) thou wilt get (only) dust and ashes.
وعده‌‌ی مهمانی‌‌اش را منکری ** پس ز مطبخ خاک و خاکستر بری
And if thou art not disbelieving, how with such empty hands art thou setting foot in the Court of that Friend?
ور نه‌‌ای منکر چنین دست تهی ** در در آن دوست چون پا می‌‌نهی
Refrain thyself a little from sleep and food: bring the gift for thy meeting with Him.
اندکی صرفه بکن از خواب و خور ** ارمغان بهر ملاقاتش ببر
Become scant of sleep (like them that) were slumbering (but a small part of the night); in the hours of dawn be of (those who) were asking pardon of God.
شو قلیل النوم مما یهجعون ** باش در اسحار از یستغفرون
Stir a little, like the embryo, in order that thou mayst be given the senses which behold the Light,3180
اندکی جنبش بکن همچون جنین ** تا ببخشندت حواس نور بین
And mayst go forth from this womb-like world and mayst go from the earth into a wide expanse.
وز جهان چون رحم بیرون روی ** از زمین در عرصه‌‌ی واسع شوی