(For) after he had gone in the ascension to (spiritual) realities, without his (life-giving) springtide the buds (of mystic knowledge) were unburst (in my heart)—
چون به معراج حقایق رفته بود ** بیبهارش غنچهها نشکفته بود
When (I say) he returned from the Sea towards the shore, the lyre of the poesy of the Mathnawí became attuned (again).5
چون ز دریا سوی ساحل باز گشت ** چنگ شعر مثنوی با ساز گشت
The Mathnawí, which was the burnisher (purifier) of spirits —his return was the day of (my) seeking (an auspicious) commencement (for it).
مثنوی که صیقل ارواح بود ** باز گشتش روز استفتاح بود
The date of beginning this gainful (spiritual) traffic was in the year six hundred and sixty-two.
مطلع تاریخ این سودا و سود ** سال اندر ششصد و شصت و دو بود
A nightingale went hence and returned: it became a falcon for hunting these spiritual truths.
بلبلی ز ینجا برفت و باز گشت ** بهر صید این معانی باز گشت
May this falcon's resting-place be the fore-arm of the King! May this gate (to the Truth) be open to (all) the people unto everlasting!
ساعد شه مسکن این باز باد ** تا ابد بر خلق این در باز باد
The bane of this gate is sensuality and lust; else, draught on draught (of spiritual knowledge) is (to be found) here.10
آفت این در هوا و شهوت است ** ور نه اینجا شربت اندر شربت است
Close this mouth that you may see plainly: gullet and mouth are the eye-bandage (which makes you blind) to yonder world.
این دهان بر بند تا بینی عیان ** چشم بند آن جهان حلق و دهان
O mouth, verily thou art the mouth of Hell; and, O world, thou art like the intermediate state.
ای دهان تو خود دهانه‌ای دوزخی ** وی جهان تو بر مثال برزخی
The everlasting light is beside this low world, the pure milk is beside rivers of blood.
نور باقی پهلوی دنیای دون ** شیر صافی پهلوی جوهای خون
When you take one step in it (the world) without precaution, your milk will be turned to blood through commixture.
چون در او گامی زنی بیاحتیاط ** شیر تو خون میشود از اختلاط
Adam took one step in sensual pleasure: separation from his high place in Paradise became a collar on the neck of his (fleshly) soul.15
یک قدم زد آدم اندر ذوق نفس ** شد فراق صدر جنت طوق نفس
The angels were fleeing from him as from a devil: how many tears did he shed for the sake of a single loaf!
همچو دیو از وی فرشته میگریخت ** بهر نانی چند آب چشم ریخت
Although the sin which he had compassed was (but) a hair, yet that hair had grown in his eyes.
گر چه یک مو بد گنه کاو جسته بود ** لیک آن مو در دو دیده رسته بود
Adam was the eye of the Eternal Light: a hair in the eye is a great mountain.
بود آدم دیدهی نور قدیم ** موی در دیده بود کوه عظیم
If Adam had taken counsel in that (matter), he would not have uttered excuses in penitence,
گر در آن آدم بکردی مشورت ** در پشیمانی نگفتی معذرت
Because when one intellect is joined with another intellect, it prevents evil action and evil speech;20
ز آن که با عقلی چو عقلی جفت شد ** مانع بد فعلی و بد گفت شد
(But) when the fleshly soul is associated with another fleshly soul, the partial (individual) intellect becomes idle and useless.
نفس با نفس دگر چون یار شد ** عقل جزوی عاطل و بیکار شد
When because of loneliness you fall into despair, you become (bright as) a sun (if you go) under the shadow (protection) of the friend.
چون ز تنهایی تو نومیدی شوی ** زیر سایهی یار خورشیدی شوی
Go, seek at once the friend of God: when you have done so, God is your friend.
رو بجو یار خدایی را تو زود ** چون چنان کردی خدا یار تو بود
He who has fixed his gaze upon seclusion (and made it his object), after all ’tis from the friend (of God) that he has learned that (lesson).
آن که در خلوت نظر بر دوخته ست ** آخر آن را هم ز یار آموخته ست
One must seclude one's self from strangers, (but) not from the friend: the fur-coat is for winter, not for spring.25
خلوت از اغیار باید نه ز یار ** پوستین بهر دی آمد نه بهار
(If) the intellect is paired with another intellect, light increases and the way becomes plain;
عقل با عقل دگر دو تا شود ** نور افزون گشت و ره پیدا شود
(But if) the fleshly soul makes merry with another fleshly soul, darkness increases, the way becomes hidden.
نفس با نفس دگر خندان شود ** ظلمت افزون گشت و ره پنهان شود
The friend is thine eye, O huntsman: keep him pure from (unsoiled by) sticks and straws.
یار چشم تست ای مرد شکار ** از خس و خاشاک او را پاک دار