’Tis not fitting if I call it the Sea of the Soul and the Soul of the Sea: I am seeking a new name for it;—
بحر جان و جان بحر ار گویمش ** نیست لایق نام نو میجویمش
By the truth of that That from which this and that are (derived), and in relation to which (all) kernels are (as) rinds,935
حق آن آنی که این و آن از اوست ** مغزها نسبت بدو باشد چو پوست
(I swear) that the (good) qualities of my fellow-servant and friend exceed my description (of them) a hundredfold.
که صفات خواجهتاش و یار من ** هست صد چندان که این گفتار من
That which I know of the (spiritual) endowments of that comrade (of mine) would not be believed by thee: what shall I say, O noble (king)?”
آن چه میدانم ز وصف آن ندیم ** باورت ناید چه گویم ای کریم
The King said, “Now speak of your own (case); how long will you speak of what concerns this or that one?
شاه گفت اکنون از آن خود بگو ** چند گویی آن این و آن او
What do you possess and what have you gained? What pearls have you fetched from the bottom of the Sea?
تو چه داری و چه حاصل کردهای ** از تگ دریا چه در آوردهای
On the day of death this sense-perception of yours will vanish: have you the spiritual light that should be the companion of your heart?940
روز مرگ این حس تو باطل شود ** نور جان داری که یار دل شود
When dust shall fill these eyes in the tomb, have you that which will make the grave bright?
در لحد کاین چشم را خاک آگند ** هستت آن چه گور را روشن کند
At the time when your hands and feet shall be torn in shreds, have you wings and plumes that your spirit may fly aloft?
آن زمان که دست و پایت بر درد ** پر و بالت هست تا جان بر پرد
At the time when this animal soul is no more, it behoves you to set the everlasting spirit in its place.
آن زمان کاین جان حیوانی نماند ** جان باقی بایدت بر جا نشاند
The stipulation of (implied in) he that comes with good (shall be rewarded tenfold) does not consist in doing (good); it consists in bringing this good to the presence of God.
شرط من جا بالحسن نه کردن است ** این حسن را سوی حضرت بردن است
You have a substance (essence) human or asinine (bestial): (bring that to God): how can you bring (to Him) these accidents (of word or deed) which have passed away?945
جوهری داری ز انسان یا خری ** این عرضها که فنا شد چون بری
As regards these accidents of prayer and fasting—since (that which) does not endure for two moments becomes naught—
این عرضهای نماز و روزه را ** چون که لا یبقی زمانین انتفی
’Tis impossible to carry over the accidents (into another state); but they (may) take away diseases (defects) from the substance,
نقل نتوان کرد مر اعراض را ** لیک از جوهر برند امراض را
So that the substance becomes changed by means of this accident, as when disease is removed by abstinence.
تا مبدل گشت جوهر زین عرض ** چون ز پرهیزی که زایل شد مرض
By exertion abstinence, (which is) the accident, becomes the substance: through abstinence the acrid mouth becomes (sweet as) honey.
گشت پرهیز عرض جوهر به جهد ** شد دهان تلخ از پرهیز شهد
Land, through sowing, is turned into ears of corn; remedies for the hair turn the hair into chains (make it long and curly).950
از زراعت خاکها شد سنبله ** داروی مو کرد مو را سلسله
Conjugal intercourse was the accident; it passed away, and the substance, (which is) the child, was produced from us.
آن نکاح زن عرض بد شد فنا ** جوهر فرزند حاصل شد ز ما
The mating of horse or camel is the accident; the object is the birth of the colt, (which is) the substance.
جفت کردن اسب و اشتر را عرض ** جوهر کره بزاییدن غرض
Similarly, the planting of the garden is the accident; the produce (of the garden) became the substance: take ( it and) behold the object!
هست آن بستان نشاندن هم عرض ** گشت جوهر کشت بستان نک غرض
Regard, also, the practice of alchemy as the accident; if a substance is produced by that alchemy, bring (it into view).
هم عرض دان کیمیا بردن بکار ** جوهری ز آن کیمیا گر شد بیار
Burnishing is the accident, O prince; from this accident is born the substance, purity.955
صیقلی کردن عرض باشد شها ** زین عرض جوهر همیزاید صفا
Do not say, then, ‘I have done deeds’; show the income (fruit) of those accidents, do not evade (my request).
پس مگو که من عملها کردهام ** دخل آن اعراض را بنما مرم
This attribution of qualities is (only) an accident. Be silent: do not kill for sacrifice the goat's shadow!”
این صفت کردن عرض باشد خمش ** سایهی بز را پی قربان مکش
The slave said, “O King, the mind cannot but despair if you say that accidents are not carried over.
گفت شاها بیقنوط عقل نیست ** گر تو فرمایی عرض را نقل نیست