Joy (has its seat) in the kidneys, grief in the liver; intellect, (bright) as a candle, inside the brain in the head.
شادی اندر گرده و غم در جگر ** عقل چون شمعی درون مغز سر
These connexions are not without a how and a why, (but) as regards knowledge of the why (our) minds are impotent.
این تعلقها نه بیکیف است و چون ** عقلها در دانش چونی زبون
The Universal Soul came into contact with the partial (individual) soul, and the (latter) soul received from it a pearl and put it into its bosom.
جان کل با جان جزو آسیب کرد ** جان از او دری ستد در جیب کرد
Through that touch on its bosom the (individual) soul became pregnant, like Mary, with a heart-beguiling Messiah,
همچو مریم جان از آن آسیب جیب ** حامله شد از مسیح دل فریب
Not the Messiah who is (a traveller) on land and water, (but) the Messiah who is beyond (the limitation of) measuring (space).1185
آن مسیحی نه که بر خشک و تر است ** آن مسیحی کز مساحت برتر است
So when the soul has been impregnated by the Soul of soul, by such a soul the world is impregnated.
پس ز جان جان چو حامل گشت جان ** از چنین جانی شود حامل جهان
Then the world gives birth to another world, and displays to this congregated people a place of congregation (for the realities which are raised to life).
پس جهان زاید جهان دیگری ** این حشر را وا نماید محشری
Though I should speak and recount till the Resurrection, I lack the power to describe this (spiritual) resurrection.
تا قیامت گر بگویم بشمرم ** من ز شرح این قیامت قاصرم
These sayings (of mine), indeed, are really an “O Lord” (a prayer addressed to God); the words are the lure for the breath of a sweet-lipped One.
این سخنها خود به معنی یا ربی است ** حرفها دام دم شیرین لبی است
How, then, should he (that seeks the answer) fail (to pray)? How should he be silent, inasmuch as “Here am I” is (always) coming in response to his “O Lord”?1190
چون کند تقصیر پس چون تن زند ** چون که لبیکش به یا رب میرسد
It is a “Here am I” that you cannot hear, but can taste (feel and enjoy) from head to foot.
هست لبیکی که نتوانی شنید ** لیک سر تا پای بتوانی چشید
How the thirsty man threw bricks from the top of the wall into the stream of water.
کلوخ انداختن تشنه از سر دیوار در جوی آب
On the bank of the stream there was a high wall, and on the top of the wall a sorrowful thirsty man.
بر لب جو بود دیواری بلند ** بر سر دیوار تشنهی دردمند
The wall hindered him from (reaching) the water; he was in distress for the water, like a fish.
مانعش از آب آن دیوار بود ** از پی آب او چو ماهی زار بود
Suddenly he threw a brick into the water: the noise of the water came to his ear like spoken words,
ناگهان انداخت او خشتی در آب ** بانگ آب آمد به گوشش چون خطاب
Like words spoken by a sweet and delicious friend: the noise of the water made him drunken as (though it were) wine.1195
چون خطاب یار شیرین لذیذ ** مست کرد آن بانگ آبش چون نبیذ
From the pleasure of (hearing) the noise of the water, that sorely tried man began to hurl and tear off bricks from that place.
از صفای بانگ آب آن ممتحن ** گشت خشت انداز ز آن جا خشتکن
The water was making a noise, that is to say, (it was crying), “Hey, what is the advantage to you of this hurling a brick at me?”
آب میزد بانگ یعنی هی ترا ** فایده چه زین زدن خشتی مرا
The thirsty man said, “O water, I have two advantages: I will nowise refrain from this work.
تشنه گفت آیا مرا دو فایده است ** من از این صنعت ندارم هیچ دست
The first advantage is (my) hearing the noise of the water, which to thirsty men is (melodious) as a rebeck.
فایدهی اول سماع بانگ آب ** کاو بود مر تشنگان را چون رباب
The noise thereof has become (to me) like the noise of (the trumpet of) Isráfíl: by this (noise) life has been transferred (restored) to one (that was) dead;1200
بانگ او چون بانگ اسرافیل شد ** مرده را زین زندگی تحویل شد
Or (it is) like the noise of thunder in days of spring—from it (the thunder) the garden obtains so many (lovely) ornaments;
یا چو بانگ رعد ایام بهار ** باغ مییابد از او چندین نگار
Or like the days of alms to a poor man, or like the message of deliverance to a prisoner.
یا چو بر درویش ایام زکات ** یا چو بر محبوس پیغام نجات
’Tis like the breath of the Merciful (God) which, without mouth, comes to Mohammed from Yemen;
چون دم رحمان بود کان از یمن ** میرسد سوی محمد بیدهن
Or ’tis like the scent of Ahmad (Mohammed), the Apostle (of God), which in intercession comes to the sinner;
یا چو بوی احمد مرسل بود ** کان به عاصی در شفاعت میرسد
Or like the scent of beauteous, graceful Joseph, (which) strikes upon the soul of lean Jacob.1205
یا چو بوی یوسف خوب لطیف ** میزند بر جان یعقوب نحیف