- He said to him again, “O fair-spoken sage, explain a little about your own circumstances as well.
- باز گفتش ای حکیم خوش سخن ** شمهای از حال خود هم شرح کن
- (With) such intelligence and talent as you have, are you a vizier or a king? Tell the truth.”
- این چنین عقل و کفایت که تراست ** تو وزیری یا شهی بر گوی راست
- He answered, “I am not (either of) these two: I am of the common folk. Look at my appearance and dress.”
- گفت این هر دو نیم از عامهام ** بنگر اندر حال و اندر جامهام
- He asked, “How many camels have you? How many oxen?” “I have neither these nor those,” he replied: “do not dig at me.”
- گفت اشتر چند داری چند گاو ** گفت نه این و نه آن ما را مکاو
- He said, “At any rate, what goods have you in your shop?” He answered, “Where have I a shop, and where a dwelling-place?” 3190
- گفت رختت چیست باری در دکان ** گفت ما را کو دکان و کو مکان
- “Then,” said he, “I will ask about money. How much money (have you)?—for you are a solitary wanderer and one whose counsel is prized.
- گفت پس از نقد پرسم نقد چند ** که تویی تنها رو و محبوب پند
- With you is the elixir which changes the copper of the world (into) gold: your understanding and knowledge are inlaid with pearls.”
- کیمیای مس عالم با تو است ** عقل و دانش را گهر تو بر تو است
- “By God,” he replied, “O chief of the Arabs, in my whole property there is not the means of (buying) food for the night.
- گفت و الله نیست یا وجه العرب ** در همه ملکم وجوه قوت شب
- I run about with bare feet and naked body. If any one will give me a loaf of bread—thither I go.
- پا برهنه تن برهنه میدوم ** هر که نانی میدهد آن جا روم
- From this wisdom and learning and excellence (of mind) I have got nothing but phantasy and headache.” 3195
- مر مرا زین حکمت و فضل و هنر ** نیست حاصل جز خیال و درد سر
- Then the Arab said to him, “Begone far from my side, so that your ill-luck may not rain upon me.
- پس عرب گفتش که شو دور از برم ** تا نبارد شومی تو بر سرم
- Take far away from me that unlucky wisdom of yours: your speech is unlucky for (all) the people of the time.
- دور بر آن حکمت شومت ز من ** نطق تو شرم است بر اهل زمن
- Either go you in that direction, and I will run in this direction; or if your way be forwards, I will go back.
- یا تو آن سو رو من این سو میدوم ** ور ترا ره پیش من واپس روم
- One sack of wheat and the other of sand is better for me than these vain contrivings.
- یک جوالم گندم و دیگر ز ریگ ** به بود زین حیلههای مردهریگ
- My foolishness is a very blessed foolishness, for my heart is well furnished (with spiritual graces) and my soul is devout.” 3200
- احمقیام بس مبارک احمقی است ** که دلم با برگ و جانم متقی است
- If thou desire that misery should vanish (from thee), endeavour that wisdom should vanish from thee—
- گر تو خواهی کت شقاوت کم شود ** جهد کن تا از تو حکمت کم شود
- The wisdom which is born of (human) nature and phantasy, the wisdom which lacks the overflowing grace of the Light of the Glorious (God).
- حکمتی کز طبع زاید وز خیال ** حکمتی بیفیض نور ذو الجلال
- The wisdom of this world brings increase of supposition and doubt; the wisdom of the Religion bears (one) above the sky.
- حکمت دنیا فزاید ظن و شک ** حکمت دینی برد فوق فلک
- The ingenious rascals of (this) latter time have aggrandised themselves over the ancients;
- زوبعان زیرک آخر زمان ** بر فزوده خویش بر پیشینیان
- The (apt) learners of cunning have burnt (consumed) their hearts (in study) and have learned feints and tricks; 3205
- حیله آموزان جگرها سوخته ** فعلها و مکرها آموخته
- They have thrown to the winds patience and altruism and self-sacrifice and generosity—(qualities) which are the elixir of (spiritual) profit.
- صبر و ایثار و سخای نفس و جود ** باد داده کان بود اکسیر سود
- The (right) thought is that which opens a way: the (right) way is that on which a (spiritual) king advances.
- فکر آن باشد که بگشاید رهی ** راه آن باشد که پیش آید شهی
- The (true) king is he that goes into the presence of the King, and is not made king by treasuries and armies;
- شاه آن باشد که از خود شه بود ** نه به مخزنها و لشکر شه شود
- So that his kingship remains unto everlasting, like the glory of the empire of the Mohammedan Religion.
- تا بماند شاهی او سرمدی ** همچو عز ملک دین احمدی
- The miracles of Ibráhím son of Adham on the seashore.
- کرامات ابراهیم ادهم بر لب دریا
- Thus, it is related of Ibráhím son of Adham that after a journey he sat down (to rest) by the edge of the sea. 3210
- هم ز ابراهیم ادهم آمده ست ** کاو ز راهی بر لب دریا نشست