(Making) a veil of (his) heart, (which is as) full of holes as an old blanket, he (the disciple) puts it on in the presence of that Sage.
از دل سوراخ چون کهنه گلیم ** پردهای بندد به پیش آن حکیم
The veil laughs at him with a hundred mouths, every mouth having become a slit (open) to that (master). [The veil laughs at him with a hundred mouths, every mouth having become (like) a slit (vulva) in the thighs (of a woman).]
پرده میخندد بر او با صد دهان ** هر دهانی گشته اشکافی بر آن
The master says to the disciple, "O you who are less than a dog, have you no faithfulness to me?
گوید آن استاد مر شاگرد را ** ای کم از سگ نیستت با من وفا
Even suppose I am not a master and an iron-breaker, suppose I am a disciple like yourself and blind of heart,
خود مرا استا مگیر آهن گسل ** همچو خود شاگرد گیر و کوردل
Have not you help in spirit and mind from me? Without me no water is set flowing for you.1585
نه از منت یاری است در جان و روان ** بیمنت آبی نمیگردد روان
Therefore my heart is the factory of your fortune: why would you break this factory, O unrighteous one?"
پس دل من کارگاه بخت تست ** چه شکنی این کارگاه ای نادرست
You may say that you kindle the flame (of rivalry) against him in secret (not openly); but is there not a window between heart and heart?
گوییاش پنهان زنم آتش زنه ** نه به قلب از قلب باشد روزنه
After all, he sees your thought through the window: your heart gives testimony as to what you are meditating.
آخر از روزن ببیند فکر تو ** دل گواهی میدهد زین ذکر تو
Suppose that, from kindness, he does not rebuke you to your face, (and that) whatever you say, he smiles and says "Yes"
گیر در رویت نمالد از کرم ** هر چه گویی خندد و گوید نعم
He does not smile from pleasure at your stroking (flattering him); he smiles at that (concealed) thought of yours.1590
او نمیخندد ز ذوق مالشت ** او همیخندد بر آن اسگالشت
So a deceit is paid with a deceit: strike with a cup, (and you) get struck with a jug—serve you right!
پس خداعی را خداعی شد جزا ** کاسه زن کوزه بخور اینک سزا
Were his smile at you one of approval, hundreds of thousands of flowers would blossom for you.
گر بدی با تو و را خندهی رضا ** صد هزاران گل شکفتی مر ترا
When his heart works (for you) in approval, deem it (to be) a sun entering Aries,
چون دل او در رضا آرد عمل ** آفتابی دان که آید در حمل
Because of whom both the day and the spring smile, and blossoms and green fields are mingled together,
زو بخندد هم نهار و هم بهار ** در هم آمیزد شکوفه و سبزهزار
And myriads of nightingales and ringdoves pour their song into the unplenished world.1595
صد هزاران بلبل و قمری نوا ** افکنند اندر جهان بینوا
When you see the leaves of your spirit yellow and black; how know you not the anger of the King?
چون که برگ روح خود زرد و سیاه ** میببینی چون ندانی خشم شاه
The King's sun, in the (zodiacal) sign of reproach, makes faces black as a piece of roasted meat.
آفتاب شاه در برج عتاب ** میکند روها سیه همچون کباب
Our souls are leaves for that Mercury (to write on): that white and black (writing) is our standard (criterion).
آن عطارد را ورقها جان ماست ** آن سپیدی و آن سیه میزان ماست
Again, he writes a patent in red and green, that (our) spirits may be delivered from melancholy and despair.
باز منشوری نویسد سرخ و سبز ** تا رهند ارواح از سودا و عجز
Red and green are Spring's cancellation (of winter); in regard (to their significance they are) like the (coloured) lines of the rainbow.1600
سرخ و سبز افتاد نسخ نو بهار ** چون خط قوس و قزح در اعتبار
How reverence for the message of Solomon, on whom be peace, was reflected in the heart of Bilqís from the despicable form of the hoopoe.
عکس تعظیم پیغام سلیمان علیه السلام در دل بلقیس از صورت حقیر هدهد
Hundredfold mercy be on that Bilqís to whom God gave the intellect of a hundred men!
رحمت صد تو بر آن بلقیس باد ** که خدایش عقل صد مرده بداد
A hoopoe brought the letter with the (royal) sign-manual from Solomon—a few eloquent words.
هدهدی نامه بیاورد و نشان ** از سلیمان چند حرفی با بیان
(When) she read those pregnant sayings, she did not look with contempt on the messenger.
خواند او آن نکتهای با شمول ** با حقارت ننگرید اندر رسول
Her body saw him as a hoopoe, (but) her spirit saw him as the ‘Anqá; her senses saw him as a fleck of foam, (but) her heart saw him as the sea.
جسم هدهد دید و جان عنقاش دید ** حس چو کفی دید و دل دریاش دید
Because of these two-coloured (diverse) talismans (appearance and reality) the intellect is at war with the senses, as Mohammed with the likes of Abú Jahl.1605
عقل با حس زین طلسمات دو رنگ ** چون محمد با ابو جهلان به جنگ