What is evil? The needy, despicable copper. Who is the Shaykh? The infinite elixir.
بد چه باشد مس محتاج مهان ** شیخ که بود کیمیای بیکران
If the copper was incapable (of being transmuted) by the elixir, (yet) the elixir was never turned into copper by the copper.
مس اگر از کیمیا قابل نبد ** کیمیا از مس هرگز مس نشد
What is evil? A rebel that works like fire. Who is the Shaykh? The very Seal of Eternity.3345
بد چه باشد سرکشی آتش عمل ** شیخ که بود عین دریای ازل
Fire is always terrified by water. When was water ever afraid of being set aflame?
دایم آتش را بترسانند از آب ** آب کی ترسید هرگز ز التهاب
You are observing defects on the face of the moon: you are picking thorns in a Paradise.
در رخ مه عیب بینی میکنی ** در بهشتی خارچینی میکنی
Picker of thorns, if you go into Paradise, you will find there no thorn but yourself.
گر بهشت اندر روی تو خار جو ** هیچ خار آن جا نیابی غیر تو
You are covering a sun with a sod: you are seeking flaws in a perfect full-moon.
میبپوشی آفتابی در گلی ** رخنه میجویی ز بدر کاملی
A sun which shines throughout the world––how shall it be hidden for the sake of a bat?3350
آفتابی که بتابد در جهان ** بهر خفاشی کجا گردد نهان
Sins are made sinful by the disapproval of Pírs; mysteries are made mysterious by their jealousy.
عیبها از رد پیران عیب شد ** غیبها از رشک ایشان غیب شد
If you are far (aloof in spirit from the saints), at any rate be joined (with them) through (paying) respect (to them): be alert and active in (showing) penitence,
باری از دوری ز خدمت یار باش ** در ندامت چابک و بر کار باش
(In the hope) that a breeze may be coming to you from that way (quarter). Why do you shut off the water of mercy by (your) enviousness?
تا از آن راهت نسیمی میرسد ** آب رحمت را چه بندی از حسد
Though you are far aloof, at (that) distance wag your tail (ingratiate yourself with them): wherever ye be, turn your faces (thither).
گر چه دوری دور میجنبان تو دم ** حیث ما کنتم فولوا وجهکم
When an ass falls in mire through (going at) a rapid pace, he moves incessantly for the purpose of rising.3355
چون خری در گل فتد از گام تیز ** دمبهدم جنبد برای عزم خیز
He does not make the place smooth (and comfortable) to stay in: he knows that it is not the place where he should live.
جای را هموار نکند بهر باش ** داند او که نیست آن جای معاش
Your sense has been less than the sense of the ass, for your heart has not recoiled from these clods of mud.
حس تو از حس خر کمتر بده ست ** که دل تو زین وحلها بر نجست
You interpret (some canonical text) as an indulgence (authorising you to stay) in the mud, since you are not willing to tear your heart from it.
در وحل تاویل رخصت میکنی ** چون نمیخواهی کز آن دل بر کنی
(You say), “This is allowable for me: I am under compulsion. God in His kindness will not chastise a helpless one (like me).”
کاین روا باشد مرا من مضطرم ** حق نگیرد عاجزی را از کرم
Indeed He has (already) chastised you, (but) like the blind hyena from self-deception you do not see the chastisement.3360
خود گرفته ستت تو چون کفتار کور ** این گرفتن را نبینی از غرور
They (the hunters) are saying, "The hyena is not in this place; look for him outside, for he is not in the cave."
میگوند این جایگه کفتار نیست ** از برون جویید کاندر غار نیست
If the enemy had known of me, how should he have exclaimed, "Where is that hyena'?"
این همیگویند و بندش مینهند ** او همیگوید ز من بیآگهند
گر ز من آگاه بودی این عدو ** کی ندا کردی که آن کفتار کو
The statement of a certain individual that God most High would not punish him for sin, and Shu‘ayb’s answer to him.
دعویکردن آن شخص که خدای تعالی مرا نمیگیرد به گناه و جواب گفتن شعیب علیه السلام مر او را
In the time of Shu‘ayb a certain man was saying, “God hath seen many a fault from me.
آن یکی میگفت در عهد شعیب ** که خدا از من بسی دیده ست عیب
How many sins and trespasses hath He seen me commit! And (still), God in His kindness does not punish me.”3365
چند دید از من گناه و جرمها ** و ز کرم یزدان نمیگیرد مرا
In answer to him God most High by the mysterious way spoke clearly into the ear of Shu‘ayb,
حق تعالی گفت در گوش شعیب ** در جواب او فصیح از راه غیب
Saying, “(Tell him), Thou hast said, ‘How many sins have I committed! And (still) God in His kindness hath not punished me for my trespasses.’
که بگفتی چند کردم من گناه ** و ز کرم نگرفت در جرمم اله