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
O King, there is nothing but despair for the servant (of God), if the accident that has gone is not coming back.
پادشاها جز که یاس بنده نیست ** گر عرض کان رفت باز آینده نیست
If there were no carrying over and resurrection of accidents, action would be vain and words (mere) babble.960
گر نبودی مر عرض را نقل و حشر ** فعل بودی باطل و اقوال فشر
These accidents are carried over in another guise: the resurrection of everything mortal is another (mode of) existence.
این عرضها نقل شد لونی دگر ** حشر هر فانی بود کونی دگر
The carrying over of everything is just as befits it: what befits the herd is its drover.
نقل هر چیزی بود هم لایقش ** لایق گله بود هم سایقش
At the time of the Resurrection every accident has a (particular) form, and the form of every accident has a turn (of appearing before God).
وقت محشر هر عرض را صورتی است ** صورت هر یک عرض را نوبتی است
Look on thyself. Wert not thou an accident—the movement of copulation, and copulation with a purpose?
بنگر اندر خود نه تو بودی عرض ** جنبش جفتی و جفتی با غرض
Look on houses and edifices: they were as tales in the (mind of) the architect.965
بنگر اندر خانه و کاشانهها ** در مهندس بود چون افسانهها
Such-and-such a house, which seemed to us beautiful, of which the hall, roof, and door were well-proportioned—
آن فلان خانه که ما دیدیم خوش ** بود موزون صفه و سقف و درش
(’Twas) the accident (design) and ideas (proceeding) from the architect (that) brought the tools (into existence) and the pillars (which come) from the forests.
از مهندس آن عرض و اندیشهها ** آلت آورد و ستون از بیشهها