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
Know that the saying, “God's earth is wide,” refers to an exceedingly sublime expanse belonging to the prophets.
آن که ارض الله واسع گفته‌‌اند ** عرصه‌‌ای دان کانبیا در رفته‌‌اند
The heart is not oppressed by that spacious expanse: there the fresh boughs of the palm-tree do not become dry.
دل نگردد تنگ ز آن عرصه‌‌ی فراخ ** نخل تر آن جا نگردد خشک شاخ
At present thou art bearing (the burden of) thy senses: thou art becoming weary and exhausted and (ready to fall) headlong.
حاملی تو مر حواست را کنون ** کند و مانده می‌‌شوی و سر نگون
Since, at the time of sleep, thou art borne (on high), and art not bearing (the burden), thy fatigue is gone and thou art free from pain and anguish.3185
چون که محمولی نه حامل وقت خواب ** ماندگی رفت و شدی بی‌‌رنج و تاب
Regard the time of sleep as a (mere) taste (sample) in comparison with the state in which the saints are borne (on high).
چاشنیی دان تو حال خواب را ** پیش محمولی حال اولیا
The saints are (like) the Men of the Cave, O obstinate one: they are asleep (even) in rising up and turning to and fro.
اولیا اصحاب کهفند ای عنود ** در قیام و در تقلب هم رقود
He (God) is drawing them, without their taking trouble to act, without consciousness (on their part), to the right hand and to the left.
می‌‌کشدشان بی‌‌تکلف در فعال ** بی‌‌خبر ذات الیمین ذات الشمال
What is that right hand? Good deeds. What is that left hand? The affairs of the body.
چیست آن ذات الیمین فعل حسن ** چیست آن ذات الشمال اشغال تن
These two (kinds of) actions proceed from the prophets, (while) they are unconscious of them both, like the echo:3190
می‌‌رود این هر دو کار از انبیا ** بی‌‌خبر زین هر دو ایشان چون صدا
If the echo causes thee to hear good and evil, the mountain itself is unconscious of either.
گر صدایت بشنواند خیر و شر ** ذات کوه از هر دو باشد بی‌‌خبر
How the guest said to Joseph, “I have brought thee the gift of a mirror, so that whenever thou lookest in it thou wilt see thine own fair face and remember me.”
گفتن مهمان یوسف علیه السلام را که آینه آوردمت ارمغان تا هر باری که در وی نگری روی خوب خود بینی مرا یاد کنی
Joseph said, “Come, produce the gift.” He (the guest), on account of shame (confusion) at this demand, sobbed aloud.
گفت یوسف هین بیاور ارمغان ** او ز شرم این تقاضا زد فغان
“How many a gift,” said he, “did I seek for thee! No (worthy) gift came into my sight.
گفت من چند ارمغان جستم ترا ** ارمغانی در نظر نامد مرا
How should I bring a grain (of gold) to the mine? How should I bring a drop (of water) to the (Sea of) ‘Umán?
حبه‌‌ای را جانب کان چون برم ** قطره‌‌ای را سوی عمان چون برم
I shall (only) bring cumin to Kirmán, if I bring my heart and soul (as a gift) to thee.3195
زیره را من سوی کرمان آورم ** گر به پیش تو دل و جان آورم
There is no seed that is not in this barn, except thy beauty which hath no equal.
نیست تخمی کاندر این انبار نیست ** غیر حسن تو که آن را یار نیست
I deemed it fitting that I should bring to thee a mirror like the (inward) light of a (pure) breast,
لایق آن دیدم که من آیینه‌‌ای ** پیش تو آرم چو نور سینه‌‌ای
That thou mayst behold thy beauteous face therein, O thou who, like the sun, art the candle of heaven.
تا ببینی روی خوب خود در آن ** ای تو چون خورشید شمع آسمان
I have brought thee a mirror, O light (of mine eyes), so that when thou seest thy face thou mayst think of me.”
آینه آوردمت ای روشنی ** تا چو بینی روی خود یادم کنی
He drew forth the mirror from beneath his arm: the fair one's business is with a mirror.3200
آینه بیرون کشید او از بغل ** خوب را آیینه باشد مشتغل
What is the mirror of Being? Not-being. Bring not-being (as your gift), if you are not a fool.
آینه‌‌ی هستی چه باشد نیستی ** نیستی بر گر تو ابله نیستی
Being can be seen (only) in not-being: the rich bestow (exhibit) generosity on the poor.