How the prophets lost hope of being accepted and approved by the unbelievers, as God hath said: “Until, when the (Divine) Messengers despaired…”
نومید شدن انبیا از قبول و پذیرای منکران قوله حتی اذا استیاس الرسل
The prophets said to their hearts (to themselves), “How long shall we continue giving exhortation and counsel to this one and that one?
انبیا گفتند با خاطر که چند ** میدهیم این را و آن را وعظ و پند
How long shall we misguidedly beat a piece of cold iron? Hark, till when (how long shall we continue) to breathe into a cage?”
چند کوبیم آهن سردی ز غی ** در دمیدن در قفض هین تا بکی
The motion (action) of created beings is (caused) by Divine destiny and appointment: the sharpness of the teeth is (caused) by the burning (hunger pangs) of the stomach.
جنبش خلق از قضا و وعده است ** تیزی دندان ز سوز معده است
The First Soul pushed (produced an effect) upon the second soul: a fish stinks from the head, not from the tail.3080
نفس اول راند بر نفس دوم ** ماهی از سر گنده باشد نه ز دم
But, whilst recognising (this), still speed on like an arrow: since God hath said, “Deliver (the Divine message),” there is no escape (from doing so).
لیک هم میدان و خر میران چو تیر ** چونک بلغ گفت حق شد ناگزیر
You do not know which of these two you are: strive (then) so long (as is necessary) that you may discern what you are.
تو نمیدانی کزین دو کیستی ** جهد کن چندانک بینی چیستی
When you put a cargo on board a ship, you are making that venture on trust,
چون نهی بر پشت کشتی بار را ** بر توکل میکنی آن کار را
(For) you do not know which of the two you are—whether you are (destined to be) drowned on the voyage or saved (from death).
تو نمیدانی که از هر دو کیی ** غرقهای اندر سفر یا ناجیی
If you say, “Until I know which I am, I will not hasten on to (embark on) the ship and the ocean;3085
گر بگویی تا ندانم من کیم ** بر نخواهم تاخت در کشتی و یم
On this voyage I am (to be) saved or drowned: reveal (to me) to which party I belong.
من درین ره ناجیم یا غرقهام ** کشف گردان کز کدامین فرقهام
I will not start upon this voyage with doubt and in idle hope, like the others”—
من نخواهم رفت این ره با گمان ** بر امید خشک همچون دیگران
(Then) no traffic will be done by you, because the secret of these two aspects (possibilities) is in the Unseen.
هیچ بازرگانیی ناید ز تو ** زانک در غیبست سر این دو رو