What onager (do they catch)? They are far from hunting aught but the Beloved. They all are lions and lion-catchers and intoxicated with the Light (of God).
گور چه از صید غیر دوست دور ** جمله شیر و شیرگیر و مست نور
In contemplation of the chase and hunting of the King, they have abandoned the chase and have become dead in bewilderment.
در نظاره صید و صیادی شه ** کرده ترک صید و مرده در وله
The Friend has taken them, like a dead bird, that (by means of them) He may hunt down their congeners.1055
هم‌چو مرغ مرده‌شان بگرفته یار ** تا کند او جنس ایشان را شکار
The dead bird is compelled (deprived of volition) in respect of being united or separated: you have read (the Hadíth), “The heart is between two fingers (of the Merciful God).”
مرغ مرده مضطر اندر وصل و بین ** خوانده‌ای القلب بین اصبعین
Every one that has fallen a prey to His dead bird (will perceive), when he sees (the truth), (that) he has fallen a prey to the King.
مرغ مرده‌ش را هر آنک شد شکار ** چون ببیند شد شکار شهریار
Whoever turned his head away from this dead bird never gained the hand of that Hunter.
هر که او زین مرغ مرده سر بتافت ** دست آن صیاد را هرگز نیافت
It (the dead bird) says, “Do not regard my being a carcase: see the King's love (shown) in preserving me.
گوید او منگر به مرداری من ** عشق شه بین در نگهداری من
I am not a carcase: the King hath killed me: my appearance has become like (that of) the dead.1060
من نه مردارم مرا شه کشته است ** صورت من شبه مرده گشته است
My former motion was by means of wing and pinion: now my motion proceeds from the hand of the (Divine) Judge.
جنبشم زین پیش بود از بال و پر ** جنبشم اکنون ز دست دادگر
My perishable motion has gone forth from my skin: now my motion is everlasting, since it proceeds from Him.
جنبش فانیم بیرون شد ز پوست ** جنبشم باقیست اکنون چون ازوست
If any one move crookedly (misbehave) in the presence of my motion, I will kill him miserably, (even) though he is the Símurgh.
هر که کژ جنبد به پیش جنبشم ** گرچه سیمرغست زارش می‌کشم
Beware! If thou art (spiritually) alive, do not deem me dead; if thou art a (devoted) slave (of God), regard me (as being) in the hand of the King.
هین مرا مرده مبین گر زنده‌ای ** در کف شاهم نگر گر بنده‌ای
Jesus, by his grace, made the dead to be living: I am in the hand of the Creator of Jesus.1065
مرده زنده کرد عیسی از کرم ** من به کف خالق عیسی درم
How should I remain dead in the grasp of God? Likewise, do not hold this to be possible in (the case of) the hand of ‘Jesus.’
کی بمانم مرده در قبضه‌ی خدا ** بر کف عیسی مدار این هم روا
I am ‘Jesus’; but every one that hath gained life from (been revived by) my breath will remain unto everlasting.
عیسی‌ام لیکن هر آنکو یافت جان ** از دم من او بماند جاودان
He (the dead man) was made living by Jesus, but died again. Happy is he that gave up his life to this ‘Jesus.’
شد ز عیسی زنده لیکن باز مرد ** شاد آنکو جان بدین عیسی سپرد
I am the staff in the hand of my ‘Moses’: my ‘Moses’ is hidden, while I am visible in presence.
من عصاام در کف موسی خویش ** موسیم پنهان و من پیدا به پیش
For the true believers I become a bridge across the sea; for Pharaoh, again, I become a dragon.”1070
بر مسلمانان پل دریا شوم ** باز بر فرعون اژدها شوم
O son, do not regard this staff alone, for the staff would not be like this without the hand of God.
این عصا را ای پسر تنها مبین ** که عصا بی‌کف حق نبود چنین
The waves of the Flood too were a staff which, from being aggrieved, devoured the pomp of the votaries of magic.
موج طوفان هم عصا بد کو ز درد ** طنطنه‌ی جادوپرستان را بخورد
If I should enumerate the staves of God, I should tear to pieces (expose and confound) the hypocrisy of these followers of Pharaoh;
گر عصاهای خدا را بشمرم ** زرق این فرعونیان را بر درم
But leave them to browse on this sweet poisonous grass for a few days.
لیک زین شیرین گیای زهرمند ** ترک کن تا چند روزی می‌چرند
If there be not the power and dominion of Pharaoh, whence shall Hell obtain nutriment?1075
گر نباشد جاه فرعون و سری ** از کجا یابد جهنم پروری
Fatten him, then kill him, O Butcher; for the dogs in Hell are without food.
فربهش کن آنگهش کش ای قصاب ** زانک بی‌برگ‌اند در دوزخ کلاب
If there were no adversary and enemy in the world, then the anger in men would die.
گر نبودی خصم و دشمن در جهان ** پس بمردی خشم اندر مردمان