When the (Divine) decree comes to pass, this (whole) world becomes cramped (so that there is no escape); by the (Divine) decree sweetmeat becomes anguish to the mouth.380
چون قضا آید شود تنگ این جهان ** از قضا حلوا شود رنج دهان
He ( the Prophet) said, “When the Decree comes, the (widest) expanse is narrow; when the Decree comes, the eyes are veiled.”
گفت اذا جاء القضا ضاق الفضا ** تحجب الابصار اذ جاء القضا
The eye is bandaged at the time if the Decree, so that the eye does not see the eye’s collyrium.
چشم بسته می‌شود وقت قضا ** تا نبیند چشم کحل چشم را
When the cunning of that Horseman has raised the dust, the dust keeps thee off from calling for aid.
مکر آن فارس چو انگیزید گرد ** آن غبارت ز استغاثت دور کرد
Go towards the Horseman, go not towards the dust; else the cunning of the Rider will beat upon thee.
سوی فارس رو مرو سوی غبار ** ورنه بر تو کوبد آن مکر سوار
God said, “He whom this wolf devoured, he saw the wolf’s dust; how did not he make piteous moan?”385
گفت حق آن را که این گرگش بخورد ** دید گرد گرگ چون زاری نکرد
Did not he know the wolf’s dust? (Then), with such knowledge, why did he graze?
او نمی‌دانست گرد گرگ را ** با چنین دانش چرا کرد او چرا
Sheep know the smell of the harmful wolf and creep away in every direction.
گوسفندان بوی گرگ با گزند ** می‌بدانند و بهر سو می‌خزند
The brain of animals knows the smell of the lion and bids farewell to grazing.
مغز حیوانات بوی شیر را ** می‌بداند ترک می‌گوید چرا
Thou hast smelt the lion of (God’s) wrath. Turn back! Consort with prayer and dread!
بوی شیر خشم دیدی باز گرد ** با مناجات و حذر انباز گرد
That multitude (of Saba) did not turn back from the wolf’s dust, and after the dust the wolf of tribulation came on his might.390
وا نگشتند آن گروه از گرد گرگ ** گرگ محنت بعد گرد آمد سترگ
In wrath he tore to pieces those sheep which shut their eyes to the shepherd, Wisdom.
بر درید آن گوسفندان را بخشم ** که ز چوپان خرد بستند چشم
How oft did the shepherd call them! And they came not: they were throwing the dust of resentment in the eyes of the shepherd,
چند چوپانشان بخواند و نامدند ** خاک غم در چشم چوپان می‌زدند
Saying, “Begone: we ourselves are better shepherds than thou. How should we become (thy) followers? We are chieftains, every one (of us).
که برو ما از تو خود چوپان‌تریم ** چون تبع گردیم هر یک سروریم
We are food for the wolf, and we are not for the Friend; we are fuel for the Fire, and we are not for dishonour.”
طعمه‌ی گرگیم و آن یار نه ** هیزم ناریم و آن عار نه
A heathen pride was in their brains: the raven croaked disaster over the traces of their habitation.395
حمیتی بد جاهلیت در دماغ ** بانگ شومی بر دمنشان کرد زاغ
They were digging a pit for the oppressed” they (themselves) fell into the pit, crying “Alas!”
بهر مظلومان همی‌کندند چاه ** در چه افتادند و می‌گفتند آه
They tore the coats of the Josephs (the prophets and saints), and that which they gave they got, piece by piece.
پوستین یوسفان بکشافتند ** آنچ می‌کردند یک یک یافتند
Who is that Joseph? Thy God-seeking heart, bound as a captive in thy abode.
کیست آن یوسف دل حق‌جوی تو ** چون اسیری بسته اندر کوی تو
Thou hast bound a Gabriel on a pillar, thou hast wounded his wings and plumes in a hundred places.
جبرئیلی را بر استن بسته‌ای ** پر و بالش را به صد جا خسته‌ای
Thou settest before him a roasted calf, thou fetchest (ground) straw and bringest him to the straw-barn,400
پیش او گوساله بریان آوری ** گه کشی او را به کهدان آوری
Saying, “Eat; this is a dainty meal for us,” (although) for him there is no food but meeting God face to face.
که بخور اینست ما را لوت و پوت ** نیست او را جز لقاء الله قوت
On account of this torment and tribulation that afflicted (heart) is complaining of thee to God,
زین شکنجه و امتحان آن مبتلا ** می‌کند از تو شکایت با خدا
Crying, “O God, deliver (me) from this old wolf!” He (God) saith to it, “Lo, the hour is (wellnigh) come: have patience.