I would have given a very soul-quickening exposition of this (story), were it not for the indignation and jealousy of God.
کردمی من شرح این بس جان‌فزا ** گر نبودی غیرت و رشک خدا
Still, be content and accept this (insufficient) amount, that I may explain (the whole of) this at another time.
هم قناعت کن تو بپذیر این قدر ** تا بگویم شرح این وقتی دگر
He (the Demon), having called himself by the name of the prophet Solomon, makes it a mask to deceive every (foolish) boy.
نام خود کرده سلیمان نبی ** روی‌پوشی می‌کند بر هر صبی
Pass on from the (outward) form and rise beyond the name: flee from title and from name (and enter) into reality.1285
در گذر از صورت و از نام خیز ** از لقب وز نام در معنی گریز
Inquire, then, about his (spiritual) degree and his (interior) actions: in the midst of his degree and actions seek (to discover) him.
پس بپرس از حد او وز فعل او ** در میان حد و فعل او را بجو
How Solomon, on whom be peace, entered the Farther Mosque daily, after its completion, for the purpose of worshipping and directing the worshippers and devotees; and how medicinal herbs grew in the Mosque.
درآمدن سلیمان علیه‌السلام هر روز در مسجد اقصی بعد از تمام شدن جهت عبادت و ارشاد عابدان و معتکفان و رستن عقاقیر در مسجد
Every morning, when Solomon came and made supplication in the Farther Mosque.
هر صباحی چون سلیمان آمدی ** خاضع اندر مسجد اقصی شدی
He saw that a new plant had grown there; then he would say, “Tell thy name and use.
نوگیاهی رسته دیدی اندرو ** پس بگفتی نام و نفع خود بگو
What medicine art thou? What art thou? What is thy name? To whom art thou hurtful and for whom is thy usefulness?”
تو چه دارویی چیی نامت چیست ** تو زیان کی و نفعت بر کیست
Then every plant would tell its effect and name, saying “I am life to that one, and death to this one.1290
پس بگفتی هر گیاهی فعل و نام ** که من آن را جانم و این را حمام
I am poison to this one, and sugar to that one: this is my name (inscribed) on the Tablet by (the pen of) the Divine decree.”
من مرین را زهرم و او را شکر ** نام من اینست بر لوح از قدر
Then (by hearing) from Solomon about those plants the physicians became learned and wise authorities (on medicine),
پس طبیبان از سلیمان زان گیا ** عالم و دانا شدندی مقتدی
So that they compiled medical books and were relieving the body from pain.
تا کتبهای طبیبی ساختند ** جسم را از رنج می‌پرداختند
This astronomy and medicine is (knowledge given by) Divine inspiration to the prophets: where is the way for intellect and sense (to advance) towards that which is without (spatial) direction?
این نجوم و طب وحی انبیاست ** عقل و حس را سوی بی‌سو ره کجاست
The particular (individual) intellect is not the intellect (capable) of production: it is only the receiver of science and is in need (of teaching).1295
عقل جزوی عقل استخراج نیست ** جز پذیرای فن و محتاج نیست
This intellect is capable of being taught and of apprehending, but (only) the man possessed of Divine inspiration gives it the teaching (which it requires).
قابل تعلیم و فهمست این خرد ** لیک صاحب وحی تعلیمش دهد
Assuredly, in their beginning, all trades (crafts and professions) were (derived) from Divine inspiration, but the intellect added (something) to them.
جمله حرفتها یقین از وحی بود ** اول او لیک عقل آن را فزود
Consider whether this intellect of ours can learn any trade without a master.
هیچ حرفت را ببین کین عقل ما ** تاند او آموختن بی‌اوستا
Although it (the intellect) was hair-splitting (subtle and ingenious) in contrivance, no trade was subdued (brought under command) without a master.
گرچه اندر مکر موی‌اشکاف بد ** هیچ پیشه رام بی‌استا نشد
If knowledge of a trade were (derived) from this intellect, any trade would be acquired without a master.1300