God forbid, in view of the perfection of his (spiritual) attainments, that the cloud of sickness should cover his moon!
حاش لله از کمال جاه او ** کابر بیماری بپوشد ماه او
He has gone into the house (and taken refuge) from the wickedness of the vulgar: he has become mad on account of the infamy of the sane.
او ز شر عامه اندر خانه شد ** او ز ننگ عاقلان دیوانه شد
From (feeling) the disgrace of the dull body-serving intellect, he has purposely gone and become mad,1435
او ز عار عقل کند تن پرست ** قاصدا رفته ست و دیوانه شده ست
Saying, ‘Bind me fast and with the tail of a cow smite me on head and back, and do not dispute this (matter),
که ببندیدم قوی و ز ساز گاو ** بر سر و پشتم بزن وین را مکاو
That from the stroke of the part (of the cow) I may gain life, as the murdered man (gained life) from the cow of Moses, O trusty ones;
تا ز زخم لخت یابم من حیات ** چون قتیل از گاو موسی ای ثقات
That I may be made happy by the stroke of a part of the cow; (that I may) become well (whole), as (in the case of) the murdered man and the cow of Moses’.”
The murdered man was revived by the stroke of the cow's tail: he became pure gold (in spirit), even as copper (is transmuted) by the elixir.
زنده شد کشته ز زخم دم گاو ** همچو مس از کیمیا شد زر ساو
The murdered man sprang up and told the secrets: he revealed that bloodthirsty gang.1440
کشته بر جست و بگفت اسرار را ** وا نمود آن زمرهی خونخوار را
He said plainly, “I was killed by these people who are now disturbed (with anger) in contending against me.”
گفت روشن کاین جماعت کشتهاند ** کاین زمان در خصمیام آشفتهاند
When this gross body is killed, the essence that knows (spiritual) secrets is brought to life.
چون که کشته گردد این جسم گران ** زنده گردد هستی اسرار دان
Its spirit beholds Paradise and Hell-fire and discerns all the mysteries.
جان او بیند بهشت و نار را ** باز داند جملهی اسرار را
It reveals the devilish murderers, it reveals the snare of deceit and guile.
وا نماید خونیان دیو را ** وا نماید دام خدعه و ریو را
To kill the cow (the fleshly soul) is the stipulation of (imposed by) the (Súfí) Path, in order that the spirit may be restored to consciousness by the stroke of her tail.1445
گاو کشتن هست از شرط طریق ** تا شود از زخم دمش جان مفیق
Kill most quickly the cow, your fleshly soul, so that the hidden spirit may become alive and conscious.
گاو نفس خویش را زوتر بکش ** تا شود روح خفی زنده و بهش
Resumption of the story of Dhu ’l-Nún, may God sanctify his spirit!
رجوع به حکایت ذو النون
When those persons arrived near him, he shouted, “Hey, who are ye? Take care!”
چون رسیدند آن نفر نزدیک او ** بانگ بر زد هی کیانید اتقوا
They said respectfully, “We are some of thy friends: we have come hither in devotion to ask after thee.
با ادب گفتند ما از دوستان ** بهر پرسش آمدیم اینجا به جان
How art thou, O Sea of manifold intelligence? What aspersion on thy intelligence is this (alleged) madness?
چونی ای دریای عقل ذو فنون ** این چه بهتان است بر عقلت جنون
How should the smoke of the bath-stove attain unto the Sun? How should the ‘Anqá be crushed by the crow?1450
دود گلخن کی رسد در آفتاب ** چون شود عنقا شکسته از غراب
Do not withhold (the truth) from us: explain this matter; we are lovers (of thee): do not behave to us in this fashion.
وامگیر از ما بیان کن این سخن ** ما محبانیم با ما این مکن
One ought not to drive lovers away or dupe them by mask and false pretence.
مر محبان را نشاید دور کرد ** یا به رو پوش و دغل مغرور کرد
Communicate the secret, O King: do not hide thy face in the cloud, O Moon!
راز را اندر میان آور شها ** رو مکن در ابر پنهانی مها
We are loving and true and with wounded (bleeding) hearts: in the two worlds we have fixed our hearts on thee (alone).”
ما محب و صادق و دل خستهایم ** در دو عالم دل به تو در بستهایم
He began (to use) foul words and bad names recklessly: he spoke gibberish like madmen.1455
فحش آغازید و دشنام از گزاف ** گفت او دیوانگانه زی و قاف
He jumped up and let fly stones and sticks; the whole party fled for fear of blows.
بر جهید و سنگ پران کرد و چوب ** جملگی بگریختند از بیم کوب
He laughed loudly and tossed his head (in scorn). “Look,” said he, “at the vain bluster of these friends!
قهقهه خندید و جنبانید سر ** گفت باد ریش این یاران نگر