Till the cloud weeps, how should the garden smile? Till the babe cries, how should the milk begin to flow?
تا نگرید ابر کی خندد چمن ** تا نگرید طفل کی جوشد لبن
The one-day-old babe knows the way: (its instinct says), “I will cry, that the kind nurse may come.”135
طفل یک روزه همیداند طریق ** که بگریم تا رسد دایهی شفیق
Do not you know that the Nurse of (all) nurses gives no milk gratis without (your) crying?
تو نمیدانی که دایهی دایگان ** کم دهد بیگریه شیر او رایگان
He (God) hath said, “Let them weep much.” Give ear, that the bounty of the Creator may pour forth the milk.
گفت فلیبکوا کثیرا گوش دار ** تا بریزد شیر فضل کردگار
The cloud's weeping and the sun's burning are the pillar of this world: twist these two strands (together).
گریهی ابرست و سوز آفتاب ** استن دنیا همین دو رشته تاب
If there were not the sun's heat and the cloud's tears, how would body (substance) and accident become big and thick?
گر نبودی سوز مهر و اشک ابر ** کی شدی جسم و عرض زفت و سطبر
How would these four seasons be flourishing unless this glow and weeping were the origin?140
کی بدی معمور این هر چار فصل ** گر نبودی این تف و این گریه اصل
Since the burning (heat) of the sun and the weeping of the clouds in the world are keeping the world fresh and sweet,
سوز مهر و گریهی ابر جهان ** چون همی دارد جهان را خوشدهان
Keep the sun of your intelligence burning, keep your eye glistening with tears like the cloud!
آفتاب عقل را در سوز دار ** چشم را چون ابر اشکافروز دار
You must needs have a weeping eye, like the little child: do not eat the bread (of worldliness), for that bread takes away your water (spiritual excellence).
چشم گریان بایدت چون طفل خرد ** کم خور آن نان را که نان آب تو برد
When the body is in leaf (well-furnished), on that account by day and night the bough, (which is) the soul, is shedding its leaves and is in autumn.
تن چو با برگست روز و شب از آن ** شاخ جان در برگریزست و خزان
The leafage (flourishing state) of the body is the leaflessness (unprovidedness) of the soul. Be quick! You must let this (body) dwindle and that (soul) increase.145
برگ تن بیبرگی جانست زود ** این بباید کاستن آن را فزود
Lend unto God, give a loan of this leafage of the body, that in exchange a garden may grow in your heart.
اقرضوا الله قرض ده زین برگ تن ** تا بروید در عوض در دل چمن
Give a loan, diminish this food of your body, that there may appear the face (vision) of (that which) eye hath not seen.
قرض ده کم کن ازین لقمهی تنت ** تا نماید وجه لا عین رات
When the body empties itself of dung, He (God) fills it with musk and glorious pearls.
تن ز سرگین خویش چون خالی کند ** پر ز مشک و در اجلالی کند
He (such a person) gives this filth and gets purity (in return): his body enjoys (what is signified by the words) He will purify you.
زین پلیدی بدهد و پاکی برد ** از یطهرکم تن او بر خورد
The Devil frightens you, saying, “Hark and hark again! You will be sorry for this and will be saddened.150
دیو میترساندت که هین و هین ** زین پشیمان گردی و گردی حزین
If you waste away your body in consequence of these idle whims, you will become very sorry and anxious.
گر گدازی زین هوسها تو بدن ** بس پشیمان و غمین خواهی شدن
Eat this, it is hot and good for your health; and drink that for your benefit and as a cure,
این بخور گرمست و داروی مزاج ** وآن بیاشام از پی نفع و علاج
With the intention (of acting on the principle) that (since) this body is your riding-beast that to which it is accustomed is best for it.
هم بدین نیت که این تن مرکبست ** آنچ خو کردست آنش اصوبست
Beware, do not alter your habit, else mischief will ensure and a hundred maladies will be produced in brain and heart.”
هین مگردان خو که پیش آید خلل ** در دماغ و دل بزاید صد علل
Such menaces does the vile Devil employ, and he chants a hundred spells over the people.155
این چنین تهدیدها آن دیو دون ** آرد و بر خلق خواند صد فسون
He makes himself out to be a Galen (for skill) in medicine, that he may deceive your ailing soul.
خویش جالینوس سازد در دوا ** تا فریبد نفس بیمار ترا
“This,” says he, “is of use to you against any sorrow and pain.” He said the same thing to Adam about an ear of wheat.
کین ترا سودست از درد و غمی ** گفت آدم را همین در گندمی
He utters (hypocritical expressions such as) “Ah, ah” and “Alas,” while he twists your lips with the farrier's barnacle,
پیش آرد هیهی و هیهات را ** وز لویشه پیچد او لبهات را