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
Spring is the kindness of the Almighty Governor, and Autumn is God's menace and intimidation,
آن بهاران لطف شحنهی کبریاست ** و آن خزان تخویف و تهدید خداست
And Winter is the allegorical crucifixion, to the end that thou, O hidden thief, mayst be exposed.2960
و آن زمستان چار میخ معنوی ** تا تو ای دزد خفی ظاهر شوی
Then (again), he that wages the (spiritual) warfare has at one time (joyous) expansion of heart, at another time (grievous) oppression and pain and torment,
پس مجاهد را زمانی بسط دل ** یک زمانی قبض و درد و غش و غل
Because this water and clay, which is (the stuff of) our bodies, is the denier (enemy) and thief of the light of (our) souls.
ز انکه این آب و گلی کابدان ماست ** منکر و دزد و ضیای جان ماست
The High God lays upon our body, O man of fortitude, heat and cold and grief and pain,
حق تعالی گرم و سرد و رنج و درد ** بر تن ما مینهد ای شیر مرد
Fear and hunger and impairment of wealth and body—all for the sake of the soul's coin being brought into sight (and use).
خوف و جوع و نقص اموال و بدن ** جمله بهر نقد جان ظاهر شدن
These threats and promises He hath sent forth on account of this good and evil which He hath mingled.2965
این وعید و وعدهها انگیخته ست ** بهر این نیک و بدی کامیخته ست
Inasmuch as truth and falsehood have been mingled, and the good and bad coin have been poured into the travelling-bag,
چون که حق و باطلی آمیختند ** نقد و قلب اندر حرمدان ریختند
Therefore they need a picked touchstone, one that has undergone (many) tests in (assaying) realities,
پس محک میبایدش بگزیدهای ** در حقایق امتحانها دیدهای
So that it may become a criterion for these impostures; so that it may be a standard for these acts of providence.
تا شود فاروق این تزویرها ** تا بود دستور این تدبیرها
Give him milk, O mother of Moses, and cast him into the water: be not afraid of (putting him to) the trial.
شیر ده ای مادر موسی و را ** و اندر آب افکن میندیش از بلا