Do not say, then, that all (this) is phantasy and error: without truth phantasy exists not in the world.
پس مگو جمله خیال است و ضلال ** بیحقیقت نیست در عالم خیال
Truth is the Night of Power (which is) hidden amidst the (other) nights in order that the soul may make trial of every night.2935
حق شب قدر است در شبها نهان ** تا کند جان هر شبی را امتحان
Not all nights are (the Night of) Power, O youth, nor are all nights void of that (Night).
نه همه شبها بود قدر ای جوان ** نه همه شبها بود خالی از آن
Amongst the wearers of the dervish-cloak there is one (true) dervish: make trial, and accept him that is true.
در میان دلق پوشان یک فقیر ** امتحان کن و آن که حق است آن بگیر
Where is the sagacious and discerning believer, that he may distinguish effeminate wretches from men?
مومن کیس ممیز کو که تا ** باز داند هیزکان را از فتی
If there be no faulty things in the world, all fools would be (shrewd) merchants.
گر نه معیوبات باشد در جهان ** تاجران باشند جمله ابلهان
Then it would be very easy to know (the value of) goods: when there is no defect, what (is the difference between) the incompetent and the competent (appraiser)?2940
پس بود کالا شناسی سخت سهل ** چون که عیبی نیست چه نااهل و اهل
And if everything is faulty, knowledge is of no advantage: since everything here is (common) wood, aloes-wood is not (to be found).
ور همه عیب است دانش سود نیست ** چون همه چوب است اینجا عود نیست
He that says, “All are true”—’tis folly (on his part); and he that says, “All are false”—he is damned.
آن که گوید جمله حقند احمقی است ** و انکه گوید جمله باطل او شقی است
Those who trade with the prophets have gained (thereby); those who trade with colour and scent (worldly vanities) are blind and blue (miserable).
تاجران انبیا کردند سود ** تاجران رنگ و بو کور و کبود
The snake (már) appears in the eye as riches (mál): rub both your eyes well!
مینماید مار اندر چشم مال ** هر دو چشم خویش را نیکو بمال
Do not consider the happiness of this (worldly) traffic and profit: consider the perdition of Pharaoh and Thamúd.2945
منگر اندر غبطهی این بیع و سود ** بنگر اندر خسر فرعون و ثمود
On making trial of everything, so that the good and evil which are in it may be brought to view.
امتحان هر چیزی تا ظاهر شود خیر و شری که در وی است
Contemplate the sky repeatedly, for God hath said, Then turn thy gaze again (towards it).
اندر این گردون مکرر کن نظر ** ز انکه حق فرمود ثم ارجع بصر
As regards this roof of light, be not content with one look: look (many) times, see, Are there any flaws?
یک نظر قانع مشو زین سقف نور ** بارها بنگر ببین هل من فطور
Since He hath told you to look ofttimes at this goodly roof, as a man seeking faults,
چون که گفتت کاندر این سقف نکو ** بارها بنگر چو مرد عیب جو
You may know, then, how much seeing and discerning the dark earth needs, to gain approval.
پس زمین تیره را دانی که چند ** دیدن و تمییز باید در پسند
In order that we may strain the pure (folk) from the dregs, how much tribulation must our minds endure!2950
تا بپالاییم صافان را ز درد ** چند باید عقل ما را رنج برد
The trials of winter and autumn, the heat of summer, spring like the spirit (of life),
امتحانهای زمستان و خزان ** تاب تابستان بهار همچو جان
Winds and clouds and lightnings—(all these are to the end) that (such) happenings may bring distinctions into view;
بادها و ابرها و برقها ** تا پدید آرد عوارض فرقها
(To the end) that dust-coloured (dusky) earth may bring forth all that it holds in its bosom, (whether) ruby or stone.
تا برون آرد زمین خاک رنگ ** هر چه اندر جیب دارد لعل و سنگ
Whatsoever this dark earth has stolen from the Treasury of God and the Sea of Bounty—
هر چه دزدیده ست این خاک دژم ** از خزانهی حق و دریای کرم
Providence, the (Divine) governor, says, “Tell the truth! Declare what thou hast carried off, hair by hair.”2955
شحنهی تقدیر گوید راست گو ** آن چه بردی شرح واده مو به مو
The thief, that is, the earth, says, “Nothing, nothing!” The Governor (then) puts it to the torture.
دزد یعنی خاک گوید هیچ هیچ ** شحنه او را در کشد در پیچ پیچ
Sometimes the Governor speaks to it with kindness (sweet) as sugar; sometimes he hangs it up (in the air), and does his worst,
شحنه گاهش لطف گوید چون شکر ** گه بر آویزد کند هر چه بتر
In order that, between force and favour, those concealed things may be brought to sight through the fire of fear and hope.
تا میان قهر و لطف آن خفیهها ** ظاهر آید ز آتش خوف و رجا