Because it saw the foam and not the sea, because it saw the present and not to-morrow.
ز انکه او کف دید و دریا را ندید ** ز انکه حالی دید و فردا را ندید
The master of to-morrow and of the present (is) before it; (yet) of a (whole) treasure it sees only a groat.1610
خواجهی فردا و حالی پیش او ** او نمیبیند ز گنجی جز تسو
(If) a mote bring a message from yonder Sun, the sun would become a slave to that mote.
ذرهای ز آن آفتاب آرد پیام ** آفتاب آن ذره را گردد غلام
The drop that has become an envoy from the Sea of Unity— the seven seas would be captive to that drop.
قطرهای کز بحر وحدت شد سفیر ** هفت بحر آن قطره را باشد اسیر
If a handful of earth become His courier, His heavens will lay their heads (in homage) before His earth.
گر کف خاکی شود چالاک او ** پیش خاکش سر نهد افلاک او
Since the earth of Adam became God's courier, God's angels lay their heads (in worship) before His earth.
خاک آدم چون که شد چالاک حق ** پیش خاکش سر نهند املاک حق
Wherefore (was it), pray, that heaven was rent asunder? Because of one (spiritual) eye that an earthly creature opened.1615
السماء انشقت آخر از چه بود ** از یکی چشمی که خاکی بر گشود
Earth, from its grossness, settles beneath water; (but) see how earth has sped beyond the empyrean!
خاک از دردی نشیند زیر آب ** خاک بین کز عرش بگذشت از شتاب
Know, then, that the subtlety (of water) is not (derived) from the water: ’tis only the gift of the Bounteous Originator.
آن لطافت پس بدان کز آب نیست ** جز عطای مبدع وهاب نیست
If He make air and fire low (in place), and if He let the thorn surpass the rose,
گر کند سفلی هوا و نار را ** ور ز گل او بگذراند خار را
He is the Ruler and (the One who said) God doeth what He willeth: from the very self of pain He raises the remedy.
حاکم است و یفعل الله ما یشاء ** کاو ز عین درد انگیزد دوا
If He make air and fire low (in place), and make (them assume the qualities of) darkness and grossness and heaviness,1620
گر هوا و نار را سفلی کند ** تیرگی و دردی و ثقلی کند
And if He make earth and water high (in place), and make the path of heaven (to be) traversed by foot—
ور زمین و آب را علوی کند ** راه گردون را بپا مطوی کند
Then it has become certain that Thou exaltest whomso Thou wilt: He (God) said to an earthly creature, “Unfold thy wings.”
پس یقین شد که تعز من تشاء ** خاکیی را گفت پرها بر گشا
To the creature of fire He said, “Go, become Iblís: begone under the Seventh Earth with (thy) imposture!
آتشی را گفت رو ابلیس شو ** زیر هفتم خاک با تلبیس شو
O earthly Adam, go thou above (the star) Suhá; O fiery Iblís, go to (the bottom of) the Earth.
آدم خاکی برو تو بر سها ** ای بلیس آتشی رو تا ثری
I am not the four temperaments or the first cause, I am ever remaining in (absolute) control.1625
چار طبع و علت اولی نیام ** در تصرف دایما من باقیام
My action is uncaused and upright (independent): I have (the power of) predetermination, (I have) no cause, O infirm one.
کار من بیعلت است و مستقیم ** هست تقدیرم نه علت ای سقیم
I alter My custom at the time (I choose): at the time (I will) I lay the dust (that rises) in front.
عادت خود را بگردانم به وقت ** این غبار از پیش بنشانم به وقت
I say to the sea, ‘Hark, be full of fire!’ I say to the fire, ‘Go, be a rose-garden!’
بحر را گویم که هین پر نار شو ** گویم آتش را که رو گلزار شو
I say to the mountain, ‘Be light as wool!’ I say to heaven, ‘Be rent asunder before the eye!’
کوه را گویم سبک شو همچو پشم ** چرخ را گویم فرو در پیش چشم
I say, ‘O sun, be joined to the moon!’ I make them both like two black clouds.1630
گویم ای خورشید مقرون شو به ماه ** هر دو را سازم چو دو ابر سیاه
We make dry the fountain of the sun: by Our art We turn into musk the fountain of blood.”
چشمهی خورشید را سازیم خشک ** چشمهی خون را به فن سازیم مشک
Sun and moon (shall be) like two black oxen: God will fasten a yoke upon their necks.
آفتاب و مه چو دو گاو سیاه ** یوغ بر گردن ببنددشان اله
How a philosopher showed disbelief at the recitation of (the text), “if your water shall have sunk into the ground.”
انکار فلسفی بر قرائت إن أصبح ماؤکم غورا
A teacher of Qur’án-recitation was reading from the page of the Book, “(if) your water (shall have) sunk into the ground: (that is, if) I stop the water from (reaching) the spring,
مقریی میخواند از روی کتاب ** ماؤکم غورا ز چشمه بندم آب