With an army like the stars of heaven (in number), numerous and victorious, one that pierces the ranks (of the enemy) and takes possession of empire—
با سپاهی همچو استارهی اثیر ** انبه و پیروز و صفدر ملکگیر
There was a camel that carried the kettle-drum: ’twas a Bactrian (camel), going in front (of the army) like a cock:
اشتری بد کو بدی حمال کوس ** بختیی بد پیشرو همچون خروس
Day and night he (the driver) used loudly to beat the big kettle-drum and the (ordinary) drum on its back in returning (from an expedition) and in setting out.
بانگ کوس و طبل بر وی روز و شب ** میزدی اندر رجوع و در طلب
That camel entered the cornfield, and the boy beat his tom--tom to protect the corn.4095
اندر آن مزرع در آمد آن شتر ** کودک آن طبلک بزد در حفظ بر
An intelligent man said to him, ‘Don't beat the tomtom, for he (the camel) is well-seasoned by the drum; he is accustomed to it.
عاقلی گفتش مزن طبلک که او ** پختهی طبلست با آنشست خو
What is thy little tomtom, child, to him, since he carries the Sultan's drum twenty times the size?’
پیش او چه بود تبوراک تو طفل ** که کشد او طبل سلطان بیست کفل
I am a lover, one who has been sacrificed to Naught: my soul is the band-stand for the drum of tribulation.
عاشقم من کشتهی قربان لا ** جان من نوبتگه طبل بلا
Verily, these threats (of yours) are (as) a little tomtom beside that which these eyes (of mine) have seen.
خود تبوراکست این تهدیدها ** پیش آنچ دیده است این دیدها
O comrades, I am not one of those (without experience), that because of idle fancies I should halt on the Way.4100
ای حریفان من از آنها نیستم ** کز خیالاتی درین ره بیستم
I am unafraid (of death), like the Ismá‘ílís; nay, like Ismá‘íl (Ishmael) I am free from (care for my) head.
من چو اسماعیلیانم بیحذر ** بل چو اسمعیل آزادم ز سر
I am done with pomp and ostentation. ‘Say, come ye’: He (the Beloved) said to my soul, ‘Come.’”
فارغم از طمطراق و از ریا ** قل تعالوا گفت جانم را بیا
The Prophet has said that one who feels sure of the recompense will give generously beforehand.
گفت پیغامبر که جاد فی السلف ** بالعطیه من تیقن بالخلف
Whoever sees a hundred compensations for the gift will at once give away the gift with this object (in view).
هر که بیند مر عطا را صد عوض ** زود دربازد عطا را زین غرض
All have become tied (to their business) in the bazaar (this world), to the end that when (the chance of) gain occurs they may give their money.4105
جمله در بازار از آن گشتند بند ** تا چو سود افتاد مال خود دهند
With gold in their money-bags, they are seated expectantly (in the hope) that the gain may come and that he who persists (in waiting) may begin to squander (his gold).
زر در انبانها نشسته منتظر ** تا که سود آید ببذل آید مصر
When he sees a piece of merchandise exceeding (his own) in profit, his fondness for his own goods becomes chilled;
چون ببیند کالهای در ربح بیش ** سرد گردد عشقش از کالای خویش
(For hitherto) he has remained enamoured of those, because he perceived no profit and advantage superior to his own goods.
گرم زان ماندست با آن کو ندید ** کالههای خویش را ربح و مزید
Similarly, (in the case of) knowledge and accomplishments and trades: (a man is engrossed with them) since he has not seen (anything) superior to them in excellence.
همچنین علم و هنرها و حرف ** چون بدید افزون از آنها در شرف
Whilst nothing is better than life, life is precious; when a better appears, the name of life becomes a slippery (futile) thing.4110
تا به از جان نیست جان باشد عزیز ** چون به آمد نام جان شد چیز لیز
The lifeless doll is as (dear as) life to the child until he has grown up to manhood.
لعبت مرده بود جان طفل را ** تا نگشت او در بزرگی طفلزا
This imagination and fancy are (like) the doll: so long as you are (spiritually) a child, you have need of them;
این تصور وین تخیل لعبتست ** تا تو طفلی پس بدانت حاجتست
(But) when the spirit has escaped from childishness, it is in union (with God): it is done with sense-perception and imagination and fancy.
چون ز طفلی رست جان شد در وصال ** فارغ از حس است و تصویر و خیال
There is no confidant (familiar with this mystery), that I should speak without insincerity (reserve). I will keep silence, and God best knoweth the (true) accord.
نیست محرم تا بگویم بینفاق ** تن زدم والله اعلم بالوفاق
The goods (of this world) and the body are snow melting away to naught; (yet) God is their purchaser, for God hath purchased.4115
مال و تن برفاند ریزان فنا ** حق خریدارش که الله اشتری
The snows seem to you better than the price, because you are in doubt: you have no certainty (no sure faith),
برفها زان از ثمن اولیستت ** که هیی در شک یقینی نیستت