Lo, I see water yonder: hark, make haste that we may go there”—and ’tis (only) the mirage.
نک بدان سو آب دیدم هین شتاب ** تا رویم آنجا و آن باشد سراب
At every step you hurry farther away from the water, whilst you keep running on towards the perilous mirage.
هر قدم زین آب تازی دورتر ** دو دوان سوی سراب با غرر
Your very setting-out has become the barrier (which prevents you) from (seeing) this that has come close to you.
عین آن عزمت حجاب این شده ** که به تو پیوسته است و آمده
Oh, many a one sets out to some place from the spot where the object of his quest is (to be found).
بس کسا عزمی به جایی میکند ** از مقامی کان غرض در وی بود
The (far) sight and boasting of the sleeper is of no avail; it is naught but a phantasy: hold aloof from it.3235
دید و لاف خفته میناید به کار ** جز خیالی نیست دست از وی بدار
Thou art sleepy, but anyhow sleep on the Way: for God's sake, for God's sake, sleep on the Way of God,
خوابناکی لیک هم بر راه خسپ ** الله الله بر ره الله خسپ
That perchance a Traveller (on the Way) may attach himself to thee and tear thee from the phantasies of slumber.
تا بود که سالکی بر تو زند ** از خیالات نعاست بر کند
(Even) if the sleeper's thought become (subtle) as a hair, he will not find the way to the Abode by that subtlety.
خفته را گر فکر گردد همچو موی ** او از آن دقت نیابد راه کوی
Whether the sleeper's thought is twofold or threefold, still it is error on error on error.
فکر خفته گر دوتا و گر سهتاست ** هم خطا اندر خطا اندر خطاست
The waves are beating upon him without restraint, (whilst) he asleep is running in the long wilderness.3240
موج بر وی میزند بیاحتراز ** خفته پویان در بیابان دراز
The sleeper dreams of the sore pangs of thirst, (whilst) the water is nearer unto him than the neck-vein.
خفته میبیند عطشهای شدید ** آب اقرب منه من حبل الورید
Story of the ascetic who, notwithstanding his destitution and numerous family, was rejoicing and laughing in a year of drought whilst the people were dying of hunger. They said to him, "What is the occasion for joy? It is an occasion for a hundred mournings." "For me at any rate ’tis not (so)," he replied.
حکایت آن زاهد کی در سال قحط شاد و خندان بود با مفلسی و بسیاری عیان و خلق میمردند از گرسنگی گفتندش چه هنگام شادیست کی هنگام صد تعزیت است گفت مرا باری نیست
Even as (for example) that ascetic was laughing in a year of drought, while all (his) folk were weeping.
همچنان کن زاهد اندر سال قحط ** بود او خندان و گریان جمله رهط
So they said to him, “What is the occasion for laughter, (when) the drought has uprooted (destroyed) the true believers?
پس بگفتندش چه جای خنده است ** قحط بیخ مومنان بر کنده است
The (Divine) mercy hath closed its eyes to us: the plain is burnt by the fierce sun.
رحمت از ما چشم خود بر دوختست ** ز آفتاب تیز صحرا سوختست
Crops and vineyards and vines are standing black: there is no moisture in the earth, neither up nor down.3245
کشت و باغ و رز سیه استاده است ** در زمین نم نیست نه بالا نه پست
The people are dying from this drought and torment by tens and hundreds like fish far from the water.
خل میمیرند زین قحط و عذاب ** ده ده و صد صد چو ماهی دور از آب
Thou art taking no pity on the Moslems; (yet) the true believers are kinsmen and one body (of) fat and flesh.
بر مسلمانان نمیآری تو رحم ** مومنان خویشند و یک تن شحم و لحم
The pain of one part of the body is the pain of all (its parts), whether it be the hour of peace or war.”
رنج یک جزوی ز تن رنج همهست ** گر دم صلحست یا خود ملحمهست
He (the ascetic) replied, “In your eyes this is a drought, (but) to my eye this earth is like Paradise.
گفت در چشم شما قحطست این ** پیش چشمم چون بهشتست این زمین
I am beholding in every desert and everywhere ears of corn in abundance, reaching up to the waist;3250
من همیبینم بهر دشت و مکان ** خوشهها انبه رسیده تا میان
(I see) the wilderness full of ears of corn (tossed) in waves by the east-wind, (so that it is) greener than the leek.
خوشهها در موج از باد صبا ** پر بیابان سبزتر از گندنا
By way of trial I am putting my hand thereon: how should I remove my hand and eye?
ز آزمون من دست بر وی میزنم ** دست و چشم خویش را چون بر کنم
Ye are friends of Pharaoh, (who is) the body, O base people: hence the Nile seems to you to be blood.
یار فرعون تنید ای قوم دون ** زان نماید مر شما را نیل خون
Quickly become friends of Moses, (who is) the intellect, in order that the blood may remain not and ye may behold the river-water.
یار موسی خرد گردید زود ** تا نماند خون بینید آب رود
(If) an injustice is proceeding from (is being done by) thee towards thy father, that father will become (as) a (biting) cur in thine eyes.3255
با پدر از تو جفایی میرود ** آن پدر در چشم تو سگ میشود