That which is sweet becomes pomegranate-syrup, and that which is rotten is naught but noise:
آن چه شیرین است او شد ناردانگ ** و آن که پوسیده ست نبود غیر بانگ
That which has reality is made manifest (after death), and that which is rotten is put to shame.
آن چه با معنی است خود پیدا شود ** و آن چه پوسیده ست او رسوا شود
Go, strive after reality, O worshipper of form, inasmuch as reality is the wing on form's body.710
رو به معنی کوش ای صورت پرست ** ز آن که معنی بر تن صورت پر است
Consort with the followers of reality, that you may both win the gift and be generous (in giving yourself up to God).
همنشین اهل معنی باش تا ** هم عطا یابی و هم باشی فتا
Beyond dispute, in this body the spirit devoid of reality is even as a wooden sword in the sheath:
جان بیمعنی در این تن بیخلاف ** هست همچون تیغ چوبین در غلاف
Whilst it remains in the sheath, it is (apparently) valuable, (but) when it has come forth it is an implement (only fit) for burning.
تا غلاف اندر بود با قیمت است ** چون برون شد سوختن را آلت است
Do not take a wooden sword into the battle! First see (whether your sword is a real one), in order that your plight may not be wretched.
تیغ چوبین را مبر در کارزار ** بنگر اول تا نگردد کار زار
If it is made of wood, go, seek another; and if it is adamant, march forward joyously.715
گر بود چوبین برو دیگر طلب ** ور بود الماس پیش آ با طرب
The sword (of reality) is in the armoury of the saints: to see (and associate with) them is for you (as precious as) the Elixir.
تیغ در زرادخانهی اولیاست ** دیدن ایشان شما را کیمیاست
All the wise have said this same thing: the wise man is a (Divine) mercy to created beings.
جمله دانایان همین گفته همین ** هست دانا رحمة للعالمین
If you would buy a pomegranate, buy (it when it is) laughing (having its rind cleft open), so that its laughter (openness) may give information as to its seeds.
گر اناری میخری خندان بخر ** تا دهد خنده ز دانهی او خبر
Oh, blessed is its laughter, for through its mouth it shows the heart, like a pearl from the casket of the spirit.
ای مبارک خندهاش کاو از دهان ** مینماید دل چو در از درج جان
Unblest was the laughter (openness) of the red anemone, from whose mouth appeared the blackness of its heart.720
نامبارک خندهی آن لاله بود ** کز دهان او سیاهی دل نمود
The laughing pomegranate makes the garden laughing (gay and blooming): companionship with (holy) men makes you one of the (holy) men.
نار خندان باغ را خندان کند ** صحبت مردانت از مردان کند
Though you be rock or marble, you will become a jewel when you reach the man of heart (the saint).
گر تو سنگ صخره و مرمر شوی ** چون به صاحب دل رسی گوهر شوی
Plant the love of the holy ones within your spirit; do not give your heart (to aught) save to the love of them whose hearts are glad.
مهر پاکان در میان جان نشان ** دل مده الا به مهر دل خوشان
Go not to the neighbourhood of despair: there are hopes. Go not in the direction of darkness: there are suns.
کوی نومیدی مرو امیدهاست ** سوی تاریکی مرو خورشیدهاست
The heart leads you into the neighbourhood of the men of heart (the saints); the body leads you into the prison of water and earth.725
دل ترا در کوی اهل دل کشد ** تن ترا در حبس آب و گل کشد
Oh, give your heart food from (conversation with) one who is in accord with it; go, seek (spiritual) advancement from one who is advanced.
هین غذای دل بده از هم دلی ** رو بجو اقبال را از مقبلی
How honour was paid to the description of Mustafá (Mohammed), on whom be peace, which was mentioned in the Gospel.
تعظیم نعت مصطفی علیه السلام که مذکور بود در انجیل
The name of Mustafá was in the Gospel—(Mustafá) the chief of the prophets, the sea of purity.
بود در انجیل نام مصطفی ** آن سر پیغمبران بحر صفا
There was mention of his (external) characteristics and appearance; there was mention of his warring and fasting and eating.
بود ذکر حلیهها و شکل او ** بود ذکر غزو و صوم و اکل او
A party among the Christians, for the sake of the Divine reward, whenever (in reading the Gospel) they came to that name and allocution,
طایفهی نصرانیان بهر ثواب ** چون رسیدندی بدان نام و خطاب
Would bestow kisses on that noble name and stoop their faces towards that beauteous description.730
بوسه دادندی بر آن نام شریف ** رو نهادندی بر آن وصف لطیف
In this tribulation of which we have told, that party were secure from tribulation and dread,
اندر این فتنه که گفتیم آن گروه ** ایمن از فتنه بدند و از شکوه
Secure from the mischief of the amírs and the vizier, seeking refuge in the protection of the Name of Ahmad (Mohammed).
ایمن از شر امیران و وزیر ** در پناه نام احمد مستجیر