To the end that thou mayst become able, O Soul, to receive the Light, and that thou mayst behold without veils that which (now) is hidden,
تا پذیرا گردی ای جان نور را ** تا ببینی بیحجب مستور را
And traverse the sky like a star; nay, (that thou mayst) journey unconditioned, without (any) sky.
چون ستاره سیر بر گردون کنی ** بلک بی گردون سفر بیچون کنی
(’Twas) thus thou camest into being from non-existence. Say now, how didst thou come? Thou camest drunken (unconscious).
آنچنان کز نیست در هست آمدی ** هین بگو چون آمدی مست آمدی
The ways of thy coming are not remembered by thee, but we will recite to thee a hint (thereof).1290
راههای آمدن یادت نماند ** لیک رمزی بر تو بر خواهیم خواند
Let thy mind go, and then be mindful! Close thine ear, and then listen!
هوش را بگذار وانگه هوشدار ** گوش را بر بند وانگه گوش دار
Nay, I will not tell (it), because thou still art unripe: thou art in (thy) springtime, thou hast not seen (the month of) Tamúz.
نه نگویم زانک خامی تو هنوز ** در بهاری تو ندیدستی تموز
This world is even as the tree, O noble ones: we are like the half-ripened fruit upon it.
این جهان همچون درختست ای کرام ** ما برو چون میوههای نیمخام
The unripe (fruits) cling fast to the bough, because during (their) immaturity they are not meet for the palace.
سخت گیرد خامها مر شاخ را ** زانک در خامی نشاید کاخ را
When they have ripened and have become sweet—after that, biting their lips, they take (but) a feeble hold of the boughs.1295
چون بپخت و گشت شیرین لبگزان ** سست گیرد شاخها را بعد از آن
When the mouth has been sweetened by that felicity, the kingdom of the world becomes cold (unpleasing) to Man.
چون از آن اقبال شیرین شد دهان ** سرد شد بر آدمی ملک جهان
To take a tight hold and to attach one's self strongly (to the world) is (a sign of) unripeness: so long as thou art an embryo, thy occupation is blood-drinking.
سختگیری و تعصب خامی است ** تا جنینی کار خونآشامی است
Another thing remains (to be said), but the Holy Spirit will tell thee the tale of it, without me.
چیز دیگر ماند اما گفتنش ** با تو روح القدس گوید بی منش
Nay, thou wilt tell it even to thine own ear—neither I nor another than I (will tell it thee), O thou that art even I—
نه تو گویی هم بگوش خویشتن ** نه من ونه غیرمن ای هم تو من
Just as, when thou fallest asleep, thou goest from the presence of thyself into the presence of thyself:1300
همچو آن وقتی که خواب اندر روی ** تو ز پیش خود به پیش خود شوی
Thou hearest from thyself, and deemest that such or such a one has secretly told thee in the dream that (which thou hast heard).
بشنوی از خویش و پنداری فلان ** با تو اندر خواب گفتست آن نهان
Thou art not a single “thou,” O good comrade; nay, thou art the sky and the deep sea.
تو یکی تو نیستی ای خوش رفیق ** بلک گردونی ودریای عمیق
Thy mighty “Thou,” which is nine hundredfold, is the ocean and the drowning-place of a hundred “thou's.”
آن تو زفتت که آن نهصدتوست ** قلزمست وغرقه گاه صد توست
Indeed, what occasion (is there) for the terms wakefulness and sleep? Do not speak, for God knoweth best what is right.
خود چه جای حد بیداریست و خواب ** دم مزن والله اعلم بالصواب
Do not speak, so that thou mayst hear from the Speakers that which came not into utterance or into explanation.1305
دم مزن تا بشنوی از دم ز نان ** آنچ نامد در زبان و در بیان
Do not speak, so that thou mayst hear from the Sun that which came not into book or into allocution.
دم مزن تا بشنوی زان آفتاب ** آنچ نامد درکتاب و در خطاب
Do not speak, so that the Spirit may speak for thee: in the ark of Noah leave off swimming!
دم مزن تا دم زند بهر تو روح ** آشنا بگذار در کشتی نوح
(Be not) like Canaan, who was swimming and saying, “I do not want the ark of Noah, (who is) my enemy.”
همچو کنعان کشنا میکرد او ** که نخواهم کشتی نوح عدو
(Noah said), “Hey, come and sit in thy father's ark, that thou mayst not be drowned in the Flood, O despicable one!”
هی بیا در کشتی بابا نشین ** تا نگردی غرق طوفان ای مهین
He answered, “Nay, I have learned to swim: I have lighted a candle other than thy candle.”1310
گفت نه من آشنا آموختم ** من بجز شمع تو شمع افروختم
(Noah said), “Beware! Do it not, for these waves are the Flood of tribulation; to-day hand and foot and swimming are naught.
هین مکن کین موج طوفان بلاست ** دست و پا و آشنا امروز لاست