Once more we are going wide of the straight way: turn back, O master—where is our way?
باز پهنا میرویم از راه راست ** باز گرد ای خواجه راه ما کجاست
We were (engaged) in showing, O envious one, that your ass is lame and the place of alighting (journey's end) far off, (so you must be) quick.
اندر آن تقریر بودیم ای حسود ** که خرت لنگ است و منزل دور زود
The year has turned late; it is not sowing-time, (and you have produced) nothing except black shame and foul deeds.
سال بیگه گشت وقت کشت نی ** جز سیه رویی و فعل زشت نی
The worm has entered the root of the body's tree: it must be dug up and put in the fire.
کرم در بیخ درخت تن فتاد ** بایدش بر کند و در آتش نهاد
Hark and hark (again), O wayfarer! ’Tis late, life's sun is gone towards the pit (is about to set).1265
هین و هین ای راه رو بیگاه شد ** آفتاب عمر سوی چاه شد
(During) these (one or) two brief days when you have (some) strength, (be) quick, devote the old man (your old age) generously (to serving God).
این دو روزک را که زورت هست زود ** پیر افشانی بکن از راه جود
Devote this (small) amount of seed that you have remaining, in order that long life may grow from these (one or) two moments.
این قدر تخمی که مانده ستت بباز ** تا بروید زین دو دم عمر دراز
Whilst this jewelled lamp is not (yet) extinguished, see you trim its wick and (supply it with) oil immediately.
تا نمرده ست این چراغ با گهر ** هین فتیلهاش ساز و روغن زودتر
Beware! Do not say “To-morrow”—for (many) to-morrows have passed. Let not the days of sowing pass away altogether.
هین مگو فردا که فرداها گذشت ** تا به کلی نگذرد ایام کشت
Listen to my admonition that the body is a strong bond: put off the old, if you have desire for newness.1270
پند من بشنو که تن بند قوی است ** کهنه بیرون کن گرت میل نوی است
Shut the lips and open the palm filled with gold: leave off being a miser with the body, exhibit munificence.
لب ببند و کف پر زر بر گشا ** بخل تن بگذار و پیش آور سخا
Munificence is the abandonment of lusts and pleasures; no one who is sunken in lust rises up (again).
ترک شهوتها و لذتها سخاست ** هر که در شهوت فرو شد بر نخاست
This munificence is a branch of the cypress of Paradise: woe to him that lets such a branch go from his hand!
این سخا شاخی است از سرو بهشت ** وای او کز کف چنین شاخی بهشت
This abandonment of sensuality is the firmest handle: this branch draws the spirit up to Heaven.
عروة الوثقی است این ترک هوا ** بر کشد این شاخ جان را بر سما
(So act) that the branch of munificence, O righteous man, drawing you aloft may bear you to its origin.1275
تا برد شاخ سخا ای خوب کیش ** مر ترا بالا کشان تا اصل خویش
You are Joseph (full) of beauty, and this world is as the well, and this rope (to draw you forth) is patience with (submission to) the command of God.
یوسف حسنی و این عالم چو چاه ** وین رسن صبر است بر امر اله
O Joseph, the rope is come: put your two hands upon it. Do not neglect the rope, (for) it has grown late.
یوسفا آمد رسن در زن دو دست ** از رسن غافل مشو بیگه شده ست
Praise be to God, that this rope has been dangled, (and that) grace and mercy have been blended together,
حمد لله کین رسن آویختند ** فضل و رحمت را بهم آمیختند
So that you may behold the world of the new spirit, a world very manifest, (though) invisible.
تا ببینی عالم جان جدید ** عالم بس آشکار ناپدید
This (phenomenal) world of non-existence has become like (real) existence, while that world of (real) existence has become very hidden.1280
این جهان نیست چون هستان شده ** و آن جهان هست بس پنهان شده
The dust is on the wind: it is playing, it is making a false show and forming a veil.
خاک بر باد است و بازی میکند ** کژنمایی پرده سازی میکند
This, which is busy (in appearance), is (really) idle and (superficial, like) a husk; and that which is hidden is its core and origin.
اینکه بر کار است بیکار است و پوست ** و انکه پنهان است مغز و اصل اوست
The dust is as a tool in the hand of the wind: deem the wind high and of high descent.
خاک همچون آلتی در دست باد ** باد را دان عالی و عالی نژاد
The gaze of the eye of dust falls on the dust; an eye that sees the wind is of another sort.
چشم خاکی را به خاک افتد نظر ** باد بین چشمی بود نوعی دگر
A horse knows a horse, because it (one horse) is associated (homogeneous with other horses); likewise (only) a rider knows the things appertaining to a rider.1285
اسب داند اسب را کاو هست یار ** هم سواری داند احوال سوار