Until the scent from the Unseen shall come to your nose, say, will you see anything except your nose?
تا به بینی نایدت از غیب بو ** غیر بینی هیچ می‌‌بینی بگو
How that infidel asked 'Ali, may God honour his person, saying, "Since thou wert victorious over such a man,as I am, how didst thou drop the sword from thy hand?" // Then that devoted friend, who had been newly converted to Islam, in his enthusiasm and delight said to 'Ali,
سوال کردن آن کافر از امیر المومنین علی علیه السلام که بر چون منی مظفر شدی شمشیر را از دست چون انداختی // پس بگفت آن نومسلمان ولی ** از سر مستی و لذت با علی
He said, "Speak, O Prince of the Faithful, that my soul may stir within my body, like the embryo."
که بفرما یا امیر المومنین.** تا بجنبد جان به تن در چون جنین
O (dear) soul, the seven planets, (each) in turn, do a (particular) service for a time to every embryo.
هفت اختر هر جنین را مدتی ** می‌‌کنند ای جان به نوبت خدمتی
When the time comes for the embryo to receive the (vital) spirit, at that time the sun becomes its helper.3775
چون که وقت آید که جان گیرد جنین ** آفتابش آن زمان گردد معین
This embryo is brought into movement by the sun, for the sun is quickly endowing it with spirit.
این جنین در جنبش آید ز آفتاب ** کافتابش جان همی‌‌بخشد شتاب
From the other stars this embryo received only an impression, until the sun shone upon it.
از دگر انجم بجز نقشی نیافت ** این جنین تا آفتابش بر نتافت
By which way did it become connected in the womb with the beauteous sun?
از کدامین ره تعلق یافت او ** در رحم با آفتاب خوب رو
By the hidden way that is remote from our sense-perception. The sun in heaven hath many ways:
از ره پنهان که دور از حس ماست ** آفتاب چرخ را بس راههاست
The way whereby gold receives nourishment, and the way whereby the (common) stone is made a jacinth,3780
آن رهی که زر بیابد قوت از او ** و آن رهی که سنگ شد یاقوت از او
And the way whereby it makes the ruby red, and the way whereby it gives the lightning-flash to the (iron) horse-shoe,
آن رهی که سرخ سازد لعل را ** و آن رهی که برق بخشد نعل را
And the way whereby it ripens the fruit, and the way whereby it gives heart to one distraught (with fear).
آن رهی که پخته سازد میوه را ** و آن رهی که دل دهد کالیوه را
“Say it forth, O falcon with shining wings who hast learned (to be familiar) with the King and with his fore-arm.
باز گو ای باز پر افروخته ** با شه و با ساعدش آموخته
Say it forth, O royal falcon that dost catch the ‘Anqá, O thou that dost vanquish an army by thyself, not with (the aid of) an army.
باز گو ای باز عنقا گیر شاه ** ای سپاه اشکن به خود نی با سپاه
Thou alone art the (whole) community, thou art one and a hundred thousand. Say it forth, O thou to whose falcon thy slave has fallen a prey.3785
امت وحدی یکی و صد هزار ** باز گو ای بنده بازت را شکار
Wherefore this mercy in the place of vengeance? Whose way is it to give the hand to a dragon?”
در محل قهر این رحمت ز چیست ** اژدها را دست‌‌دادن راه کیست
How the Prince of the Faithful made answer (and explained) what was the reason of his dropping the sword from his hand on that occasion.
جواب گفتن امیر المؤمنین که سبب افکندن شمشیر از دست چه بود در آن حالت
He said, “I am wielding the sword for God's sake, I am the servant of God, I am not under the command of the body.
گفت من تیغ از پی حق می‌‌زنم ** بنده‌‌ی حقم نه مأمور تنم
I am the Lion of God, I am not the lion of passion: my deed bears witness to my religion.
شیر حقم نیستم شیر هوا ** فعل من بر دین من باشد گوا
In war I am (manifesting the truth of) thou didst not throw when thou threwest: I am (but) as the sword, and the wielder is the (Divine) Sun.
ما رمیت إذ رمیتم در حراب ** من چو تیغم و آن زننده آفتاب
I have removed the baggage of self out of the way, I have deemed (what is) other than God to be non-existence.3790
رخت خود را من ز ره برداشتم ** غیر حق را من عدم انگاشتم
I am a shadow, the Sun is my lord; I am the chamberlain, I am not the curtain (which prevents approach) to Him.
سایه‌‌ام من کدخدایم آفتاب ** حاجبم من نیستم او را حجاب
I am filled with the pearls of union, like a (jewelled) sword: in battle I make (men) living, not slain.
من چو تیغم پر گهرهای وصال ** زنده گردانم نه کشته در قتال