This ear of mine has become deafened by the cries of ‘Alas, Alas!’ (uttered) by the vile wretches (in Hell) and by the screams of ‘O sorrow!’
کر شد این گوشم ز بانگ آه آه ** از خسان و نعره‌‌ی وا حسرتاه
These are (only) hints. I would speak from the depth (of my knowledge), but I fear to offend the Messenger (of Allah).”
این اشارتهاست گویم از نغول ** لیک می‌‌ترسم ز آزار رسول
He was speaking in this wise, intoxicated and distraught: the Prophet twitched his collar
همچنین می‌‌گفت سر مست و خراب ** داد پیغمبر گریبانش به تاب
And said, “Beware! Draw (rein), for thy horse has become hot. (When) the reflexion of God is not ashamed (to speak the truth) strikes (on the heart), shame is gone.
گفت هین در کش که اسبت گرم شد ** عکس حق لا يستحيی زد شرم شد
Thy mirror has shot out of the case: how shall mirror and balance speak falsehood?3545
آینه‌‌ی تو جست بیرون از غلاف ** آینه و میزان کجا گوید خلاف
How shall mirror and balance stop their breath (suppress the truth) for fear of hurting and shaming any one?
آینه و میزان کجا بندد نفس ** بهر آزار و حیای هیچ کس
Mirror and balance are noble touchstones: if thou do service (sue) to them for two hundred years,
آینه و میزان محکهای سنی ** گر دو صد سالش تو خدمتها کنی
Saying, ‘Conceal the truth for my sake, display the surplus and do not display the deficiency,’
کز برای من بپوشان راستی ** بر فزون بنما و منما کاستی
They will say to thee, ‘Do not laugh at thy beard and moustache: mirror and balance, and then deceit and (hypocritical) advice!
اوت گوید ریش و سبلت بر مخند ** آینه و میزان و آن گه ریو و پند
Since God has raised us up in order that by means of us it may be possible to know the truth,3550
چون خدا ما را برای آن فراخت ** که به ما بتوان حقیقت را شناخت
If this do not happen (if we fail to display the truth), what worth have we, O young man? How shall we become a standard for the face of the fair?’
این نباشد ما چه ارزیم ای جوان ** کی شویم آیین روی نیکوان
But (said the Prophet) slip the mirror (back) into the cloth, if (Divine) illumination has made thy breast a Sinai.”
لیک در کش در نمد آیینه را ** گر تجلی کرد سینا سینه را
He (Zayd) said, “Why, shall the Sun of the Truth and the Sun of Eternity be contained any wise under the armpit?
گفت آخر هیچ گنجد در بغل ** آفتاب حق و خورشید ازل
It bursts asunder both imposture (daghal) and armpit (baghal); in its presence neither madness nor (soundness of) understanding remains.”
هم دغل را هم بغل را بر درد ** نه جنون ماند به پیشش نه خرد
He (the Prophet) said, “When thou layest one finger on an eye, thou seest the world empty of the sun.3555
گفت یک اصبع چو بر چشمی نهی ** بیند از خورشید عالم را تهی
One finger-tip becomes a veil over the moon—and this is a symbol of the King's covering—
یک سر انگشت پرده‌‌ی ماه شد ** وین نشان ساتری الله شد
So that the (whole) world may be covered (hidden from view) by a single point, and the sun be eclipsed by a splinter.”
تا بپوشاند جهان را نقطه‌‌ای ** مهر گردد منکسف از سقطه‌‌ای
Close thy lips and gaze on the depth of the sea (within thee): God made the sea subject to man,
لب ببند و غور دریایی نگر ** بحر را حق کرد محکوم بشر
Even as the fountains of Salsabíl and Zanjabíl are under the control of the exalted ones of Paradise.
همچو چشمه‌‌ی سلسبیل و زنجبیل ** هست در حکم بهشتی جلیل
The four rivers of Paradise are under our control; this is not (by) our might, ’tis (by) the command of God:3560
چار جوی جنت اندر حکم ماست ** این نه زور ما ز فرمان خداست
We keep them flowing wheresoever we will, like magic (which takes its course) according to the desire of the magicians,