The shouts of sergeants with their maces, by the terror of which (men's) souls are enfeebled.
بانگ چاوشان و آن چوگانها ** که شود سست از نهیبش جانها
This is for the high and low in the street, to announce to them (the presence of) an emperor.3775
این برای خاص وعام ره‌گذر ** که کندشان از شهنشاهی خبر
This pomp is for the sake of the vulgar, that those people may not put on the tiara of arrogance;
از برای عام باشد این شکوه ** تا کلاه کبر ننهند آن گروه
That it may break their egoism and that the self-conceited carnal soul may not work mischief and evil.
تا من و ماهای ایشان بشکند ** نفس خودبین فتنه و شر کم کند
The country is preserved from that by the king's having force and authority to inflict punishment.
شهر از آن آمن شود کان شهریار ** دارد اندر قهر زخم و گیر و دار
Therefore those vain desires are extinguished in (men's) souls: awe of the king prevents that disaster.
پس بمیرد آن هوسها در نفوس ** هیبت شه مانع آید زان نحوس
Again, when he (the king) comes to the private banquet, how should awe or retaliation be (in place) there?3780
باز چون آید به سوی بزم خاص ** کی بود آنجا مهابت یا قصاص
There clemency on clemency is (shown) and mercies overflowing; you will hear no noise but that of the harp and flute.
حلم در حلمست و رحمتها به جوش ** نشنوی از غیر چنگ و ناخروش
In time of war there is the terrible drum and kettle-drum; in the hour of feasting with favourites there is (only) the sound of the harp.
طبل و کوس هول باشد وقت جنگ ** وقت عشرت با خواص آواز چنگ
The Board of Audit is for the vulgar, while the fair ones resembling peris are for the cup-companion.
هست دیوان محاسب عام را ** وان پری رویان حریف جام را
The coat of mail and the helmet are for the battle, while this silken raiment and music are for the bower.
آن زره وآن خود مر چالیش‌راست ** وین حریر و رود مر تعریش‌راست
This topic hath no end, O generous one: conclude it, and God best knoweth the right course.3785
این سخن پایان ندارد ای جواد ** ختم کن والله اعلم بالرشاد
The (corporeal) senses in Ahmad (Mohammed), which are mortal, are now laid asleep under the soil of Yathrib (Medina),
اندر احمد آن حسی کو غاربست ** خفته این دم زیر خاک یثربست
But that mighty-natured part of him, which is unconquerable, dwells, without having suffered corruption, within the abode of truth (in Paradise).
وآن عظیم الخلق او کان صفدرست ** بی‌تغیر مقعد صدق اندرست
The bodily attributes are exposed to corruption; the everlasting spirit is a shining sun,
جای تغییرات اوصاف تنست ** روح باقی آفتابی روشنست
Incorruptible, for it is not of the east; unchangeable, for it is not of the west.
بی ز تغییری که لا شرقیة ** بی ز تبدیلی که لا غربیة
How was the sun (ever) dumbfounded by a mote? How was the candle (ever) made senseless by a moth?3790
آفتاب از ذره کی مدهوش شد ** شمع از پروانه کی بیهوش شد
The body of Ahmad was liable to that (corruption): know that this corruption belongs (only) to the body,
جسم احمد را تعلق بد بدآن ** این تغیر آن تن باشد بدان
Such as sickness and sleep and pain; the spirit is untouched by these affections and wholly detached (from them).
هم‌چو رنجوری و هم‌چون خواب و درد ** جان ازین اوصاف باشد پاک و فرد
Indeed I cannot describe the spirit, and if I describe it, quaking would fall upon this (world of) phenomenal existence and spatiality.
خود نتانم ور بگويم وصف جان ** زلزله افتد در اين كون و مكان
If its fox (the body) was perturbed for a moment, belike the lion-spirit was then asleep.
روبهش گر یک دمی آشفته بود ** شیر جان مانا که آن دم خفته بود
That lion which is immune from sleep was (apparently) asleep: lo, a complaisant terrible lion!3795
خفته بود آن شیر کز خوابست پاک ** اینت شیر نرمسار سهمناک
The lion feigns to be asleep so (well) that those curs think he is quite dead;
خفته سازد شیر خود را آنچنان ** که تمامش مرده دانند این سگان
Else, who in the world would dare to rob a poor man (even) of a grain of turpeth mineral?
ورنه در عالم کرا زهره بدی ** که ربودی از ضعیفی تربدی
The foam (body) of Ahmad was torn (powerfully affected) by that sight (of Gabriel), (but) his sea (spirit) surged up (displayed itself in action) for love of the foam.
کف احمد زان نظر مخدوش گشت ** بحر او از مهر کف پرجوش گشت