This tree of the body is (like) Moses’ rod, concerning which the (Divine) command came to him —“Let it fall from your hand,
این درخت تن عصای موسیست ** که امرش آمد که بیندازش ز دست
That thou mayst behold its good and evil; after that, take it up (again) by command of Him.”
تا ببینی خیر او و شر او ** بعد از آن بر گیر او را ز امر هو
Before his dropping it, it was naught but wood; whenever he took it up by His command, it became goodly.
پیش از افکندن نبود او غیر چوب ** چون به امرش بر گرفتی گشت خوب
At first it was shaking down leaves for the lambs; (afterwards) it reduced to impotence that deluded people.
اول او بد برگافشان بره را ** گشت معجز آن گروه غره را
It became ruler over the party of Pharaoh: it turned their water into blood and caused them to beat their heads with their hands.3580
گشت حاکم بر سر فرعونیان ** آبشان خون کرد و کف بر سر زنان
From their sown fields arose famine and death on account of the locusts which devoured the leaves,
از مزارعشان برآمد قحط و مرگ ** از ملخهایی که میخوردند برگ
Till from Moses, when he considered the ultimate issue, there went up involuntarily a prayer (to God)
تا بر آمد بیخود از موسی دعا ** چون نظر افتادش اندر منتها
“For what reason is all this disablement (of them) and striving (to convert them), since this multitude will never become righteous? ”
کین همه اعجاز و کوشیدن چراست ** چون نخواهند این جماعت گشت راست
The (Divine) command came (to him), saying, “Follow Noah! Refrain from considering the end (of the matter) as it has been disclosed (to thee).
امر آمد که اتباع نوح کن ** ترک پایانبینی مشروح کن
Take no heed of that, since thou art one who calls (the people) to the (true) Way. The command, ‘Deliver the message,’ is there: it is not void (of meaning).”3585
زان تغافل کن چو داعی رهی ** امر بلغ هست نبود آن تهی
The least purpose (thereof) is that through this persistence of thine that obstinacy and rebellious pride (of the infidels) may be displayed,
کمترین حکمت کزین الحاح تو ** جلوه گردد آن لجاج و آن عتو
So that God’s showing the way (to some) and letting (others) be lost may become evident to all the followers of religious sects.
تا که ره بنمودن و اضلال حق ** فاش گردد بر همه اهل و فرق
Inasmuch as the object of existence was the manifestation (of these two Divine attributes), it must be tested by means of exhorting (to obedience) and leading astray.
چونک مقصود از وجود اظهار بود ** بایدش از پند و اغوا آزمود
The Devil persists to (seducing to) error; the Shaykh persists in guiding aright.
دیو الحاح غوایت میکند ** شیخالحاح هدایت میکند
When that grievous command (of God) proceeded step by step (pursued its course), the whole Nile was turned into blood from end to end,3590
چون پیاپی گشت آن امر شجون ** نیل میآمد سراسر جمله خون
Till (at last) Pharaoh came in person to him (Moses), humbly entreating him, his tall figure bent double,
تا بنفس خویش فرعون آمدش ** لابه میکردش دو تا گشته قدش
And said, “O (spiritual) sovereign, do not that which we did we have not the face to offer words (of excuse).
کانچ ما کردیم ای سلطان مکن ** نیست ما را روی ایراد سخن
I will become obedient to thy command with every bit (of my body); I am accustomed to be held in honour: do not deal hardly with me.
پاره پاره گردمت فرمانپذیر ** من بعزت خوگرم سختم مگیر
Hark, move thy lips in mercy, O trusted one, that it (thy prayer) may shut this fiery mouth (of Divine anger).”
هین بجنبان لب به رحمت ای امین ** تا ببندد این دهانهی آتشین
He (Moses) said, “O Lord, he is deceiving me; he is deceiving Thy deceiver.3595
گفت یا رب میفریبد او مرا ** میفریبد او فریبندهی ترا
Shall I hearken (to him) or shall I too give him deceit (in return), in order that that puller of the branch may recognise the root?
بشنوم یا من دهم هم خدعهاش ** تا بداند اصل را آن فرعکش
For the root (origin) of every cunning and contrivance is with use: whatsoever is on the earth, its root (origin) is from Heaven.”
که اصل هر مکری و حیلت پیش ماست ** هر چه بر خاکست اصلش از سماست
God said (to Moses), “That cur (Pharaoh) is not worth even that: fling a bone to the cur from a distance.
گفت حق آن سگ نیرزد هم به آن ** پیش سگ انداز از دور استخوان
Hark, shake the rod, so that the sods may give back whatever the locusts have destroyed,
هین بجنبان آن عصا تا خاکها ** وا دهد هرچه ملخ کردش فنا
And let the locusts immediately become black, that the people may behold the transformation wrought by God;3600
وان ملخها در زمان گردد سیاه ** تا ببیند خلق تبدیل اله