I said (to myself), ‘If they are open to (in communication with) the (spiritual) realities, (yet) how are they acquainted with names (consisting) of letters attached to the form (of words)?’
گفتم ار سوی حقایق بشکفند ** چون ز اسم حرف رسمی واقفند
He (one of the seven men) said, ‘If a name vanish from (the consciousness of) a saint, know that that is (the result arising) from (his) absorption (in God), not from ignorance.’
گفت اگر اسمی شود غیب از ولی ** آن ز استغراق دان نه از جاهلی
Afterwards they said, ‘We desire to follow thy leadership (in prayer), O holy friend.’
بعد از آن گفتند ما را آرزوست ** اقتدا کردن به تو ای پاک دوست
‘Yes,’ said I, ‘but (wait) awhile—for I have certain difficulties (derived) from the revolution of Time—2065
گفتم آری لیک یک ساعت که من ** مشکلاتی دارم از دور زمن
In order that they may be solved by means of holy companionships; for through companionship a grape grows from the earth.
تا شود آن حل به صحبتهای پاک ** که به صحبت روید انگوری ز خاک
A kernelly seed graciously consorted in solitary intercourse with the dark earth;
دانه‌ی پرمغز با خاک دژم ** خلوتی و صحبتی کرد از کرم
It effaced itself entirely in the earth, so that no colour or scent or red or yellow (hue) remained to it.
خویشتن در خاک کلی محو کرد ** تا نماندش رنگ و بو و سرخ و زرد
After that effacement its constriction ceased: it opened its wings and expanded and sped on its way.
از پس آن محو قبض او نماند ** پرگشاد و بسط شد مرکب براند
Inasmuch as it became selfless in the presence of its origin, the form departed (from it) and its real essence was displayed.’2070
پیش اصل خویش چون بی‌خویش شد ** رفت صورت جلوه‌ی معنیش شد
They nodded so (as though saying), ‘Hark, ’tis for thee to command,’ and from their nodding so a flame arose in my heart.
سر چنین کردند هین فرمان تراست ** تف دل از سر چنین کردن بخاست
When for a while I had taken part with that elect company in contemplation (of God) and had been separated from myself,
ساعتی با آن گروه مجتبی ** چون مراقب گشتم و از خود جدا
At that very hour my spirit was freed from hours (of Time); (I say ‘freed’) because hours make the young old.”
هم در آن ساعت ز ساعت رست جان ** زانک ساعت پیر گرداند جوان
All changes have arisen from the hours: he that is freed from the hours is freed from change.
جمله تلوینها ز ساعت خاستست ** رست از تلوین که از ساعت برست
When for an hour you escape from the hours, relation abides not: you become familiar with that which is without relation.2075
چون ز ساعت ساعتی بیرون شوی ** چون نماند محرم بی‌چون شوی
The hours are not acquainted with hourlessness (timelessness), because for him (who is conscious of time) there is no way thither except bewilderment.
ساعت از بی‌ساعتی آگاه نیست ** زانکش آن سو جز تحیر راه نیست
In this world of search and seeking every set of people have been tied in the stable peculiar to them,
هر نفر را بر طویله خاص او ** بسته‌اند اندر جهان جست و جو
And over each stable a trainer has been appointed; save by (his) permission no recalcitrant comes (into another place).
منتصب بر هر طویله رایضی ** جز بدستوری نیاید رافضی
If, from vain desire, he should break away from the stable and intrude into the stable of others,
از هوس گر از طویله بسکلد ** در طویله دیگران سر در کند
At once the nimble and goodly stablemen seize the corner of his halter and drag (him back).2080
در زمان آخرجیان چست خوش ** گوشه‌ی افسار او گیرند و کش
O cunning one, if you behold not your keepers, behold your choice (and perceive that it is) involuntary.
حافظان را گر نبینی ای عیار ** اختیارت را ببین بی اختیار
You are making a choice, and your hands and feet are loosed: why (then) are you imprisoned, why?
اختیاری می‌کنی و دست و پا ** بر گشادستت چرا حسبی چرا
You have betaken yourself to denying (the action of) the keeper: you have called it ‘threats of the fleshly soul.’
روی در انکار حافظ برده‌ای ** نام تهدیدات نفسش کرده‌ای
How Daqúqí went forward to act as Imám.
پیش رفتن دقوقی رحمة الله علیه به امامت
This discourse hath no end. “Run quickly! Hark, the (time for) prayer is come. Go forward, O Daqúqí!
این سخن پایان ندارد تیز دو ** هین نماز آمد دقوقی پیش رو
O unique one, come, perform the twofold (genuflexion), that Time may be adorned by thee.2085
ای یگانه هین دوگانه بر گزار ** تا مزین گردد از تو روزگار
O (thou who art a) clear-sighted Imám (precentor), the leader in the ritual prayer must always be clear-sighted.”
ای امام چشم‌روشن در صلا ** چشم روشن باید ایدر پیشوا