The way is near (not far), but I have tarried very late: I have become sick of this riding, sick, sick.”1550
راه نزدیک و بماندم سخت دیر ** سیر گشتم زین سواری سیرسیر
He (Majnún) threw himself headlong from the camel. He said, “I am consumed with grief: how long, how long?”
سرنگون خود را از اشتر در فکند ** گفت سوزیدم ز غم تا چندچند
The wide desert became (too) narrow for him: he flung himself on the stony place.
تنگ شد بر وی بیابان فراخ ** خویشتن افکند اندر سنگلاخ
He flung himself down so violently that the body of that courageous man was cracked.
آنچنان افکند خود را سخت زیر ** که مخلخل گشت جسم آن دلیر
When he flung himself to the ground thus, at that moment also by (Divine) destiny his leg broke.
چون چنان افکند خود را سوی پست ** از قضا آن لحظه پایش هم شکست
He tied up his leg and said, “I will become a ball, I will go rolling along in the curve of His bat.”1555
پای را بر بست و گفتا گو شوم ** در خم چوگانش غلطان می‌روم
For this cause the sweet-mouthed Sage utters a curse on the rider who does not dismount from the body.
زین کند نفرین حکیم خوش‌دهن ** بر سواری کو فرو ناید ز تن
How should love for the Lord be inferior to love for Laylá? To become a ball for His sake is more worthy.
عشق مولی کی کم از لیلی بود ** گوی گشتن بهر او اولی بود
Become a ball, turn on the side which is sincerity, (and go) rolling, rolling in the curve of the bat of Love,
گوی شو می‌گرد بر پهلوی صدق ** غلط غلطان در خم چوگان عشق
For henceforth this journey is (accomplished by means of) the pull of God, while that (former) journey on the she-camel is our progression (made by our own efforts).
کین سفر زین پس بود جذب خدا ** وان سفر بر ناقه باشد سیر ما
Such is the extraordinary mode of progression which transcends the utmost exertion of the Jinn and mankind.1560
این چنین سیریست مستثنی ز جنس ** کان فزود از اجتهاد جن و انس
Such is the pull—not every common pull—to which Ahmad (Mohammed) awarded the pre-eminence. And (now) farewell!
این چنین جذبیست نی هر جذب عام ** که نهادش فضل احمد والسلام
How the slave wrote to the King a statement complaining of the reduction of his allowance
نوشتن آن غلام قصه‌ی شکایت نقصان اجری سوی پادشاه
Cut short the discourse (on these topics) for the sake of (re turning to the story of) the slave who has written a message to the King
قصه کوته کن برای آن غلام ** که سوی شه بر نوشتست او پیام
He is sending to the gracious King a statement filled with wrangling and self-conceit and hatred.
قصه پر جنگ و پر هستی و کین ** می‌فرستد پیش شاه نازنین
The body is (like) a letter: look into it (and see) whether it is worthy of the King; then take it (to Him).
کالبد نامه‌ست اندر وی نگر ** هست لایق شاه را آنگه ببر
Go into a corner, open the letter, read (it), see whether its‘ words are suitable to kings.1565
گوشه‌ای رو نامه را بگشا بخوان ** بین که حرفش هست در خورد شهان
If it be not suitable, tear it in pieces and write another letter and remedy (the fault).
گر نباشد درخور آن را پاره کن ** نامه‌ی دیگر نویس و چاره کن
But do not think it is easy to open the letter which is the body; otherwise every one would plainly see the secret of the heart.
لیک فتح نامه‌ی تن زپ مدان ** ورنه هر کس سر دل دیدی عیان
How hard and difficult is it to open the letter! ‘Tis a task for men, not for children playing at knuckle
نامه بگشادن چه دشوارست و صعب ** کار مردانست نه طفلان کعب
We have all become satisfied with (reading) the table of contents, because we are steeped in cupidity and vain desire.
جمله بر فهرست قانع گشته‌ایم ** زانک در حرص و هوا آغشته‌ایم
The table of contents is a snare for the vulgar, that they may think the text of the scroll is like that (table).1570
باشد آن فهرست دامی عامه را ** تا چنان دانند متن نامه را
Open the title-page, do not turn your neck aside from these words—and God best knoweth the right course.
باز کن سرنامه را گردن متاب ** زین سخن والله اعلم بالصواب
That title is like a declaration made by the tongue: examine the text of the scroll, namely, the bosom (your inward self),
هست آن عنوان چو اقرار زبان ** متن نامه‌ی سینه را کن امتحان
(And see) whether it is in agreement with your declaration, in order that your actions may not be hypocritical.
که موافق هست با اقرار تو ** تا منافق‌وار نبود کار تو
When you are carrying a very heavy sack, you must not fail to look into it,
چون جوالی بس گرانی می‌بری ** زان نباید کم که در وی بنگری