When there is water in it (the canal), (only then) is it (really) a canal: the (real) man is he that hath the spirit (within him).2885
جو که آبش هست جو خود آن بود ** آدمی آنست کو را جان بود
These (others) are not men, they are (mere) forms: they are dead with (desire for) bread and killed by appetite.
این نه مردانند اینها صورتند ** مرده‌ی نانند و کشته‌ی شهوتند
Story of the Christian ascetic who went about with a lamp in the daytime in the midst of the bazaar because of the ecstasy which he had (in his heart).
حکایت آن راهب که روز با چراغ می‌گشت در میان بازار از سر حالتی کی او را بود
That person was going about in a bazaar in the daytime with a candle, his heart full of love and (spiritual) ardour.
آن یکی با شمع برمی‌گشت روز ** گرد بازاری دلش پر عشق و سوز
A busybody said to him, “Hey, O such-and-such, what are you seeking beside every shop?
بوالفضولی گفت او را کای فلان ** هین چه می‌جویی به سوی هر دکان
Hey, why are you going about in search (of something) with a lamp in bright daylight? What is the joke?”
هین چه می‌گردی تو جویان با چراغ ** در میان روز روشن چیست لاغ
He replied, “I am searching everywhere for a man that is alive with the life inspired by that (Divine) Breath.2890
گفت می‌جویم به هر سو آدمی ** که بود حی از حیات آن دمی
Is there a man in existence?” “This bazaar,” said the other, “is full: surely they are men, O noble sage.”
هست مردی گفت این بازار پر ** مردمانند آخر ای دانای حر
He answered, “I want (one who is) a man on the two-wayed road—in the way of anger and at the time of desire.
گفت خواهم مرد بر جاده‌ی دو ره ** در ره خشم و به هنگام شره
Where is (one who is) a man at the moment of anger and at the moment of appetite? In search of (such) a man I am running from street to street.
وقت خشم و وقت شهوت مرد کو ** طالب مردی دوانم کو به کو
Where in the world is (one who is) a man on these two occasions, that I may devote my life to him to-day?”
کو درین دو حال مردی در جهان ** تا فدای او کنم امروز جان
“You are seeking a rare thing,” said he; “but you take no heed of the (Divine) ordinance and destiny. Consider well!2895
گفت نادر چیز می‌جویی ولیک ** غافل از حکم و قضایی بین تو نیک
You regard (only) the branch, you are unaware of the root: we are the branch, the ordinances of the (Divine) decree are the root.”
ناظر فرعی ز اصلی بی‌خبر ** فرع ماییم اصل احکام قدر
The (Divine) destiny causes the rolling sphere (of heaven) to lose its way; the (Divine) destiny makes a hundred Mercuries to be ignorant;
چرخ گردان را قضا گمره کند ** صدعطارد را قضا ابله کند
It makes the world of (our) contrivance to be straitened; it makes iron and hard rock to be (unresisting as) water.
تنگ گرداند جهان چاره را ** آب گرداند حدید و خاره را
O thou who hast resolved upon the way (thou wilt go), step by step, thou art the rawest of the raw, the rawest of the raw, the rawest of the raw.
ای قراری داده ره را گام گام ** خام خامی خام خامی خام خام
Since thou hast seen the revolution of the millstone, come now, see also the water of the river.2900
چون بدیدی گردش سنگ آسیا ** آب جو را هم ببین آخر بیا
Thou hast seen the dust rise into the air: amidst the dust see the wind.
خاک را دیدی برآمد در هوا ** در میان خاک بنگر باد را
Thou seest the kettles of thought boiling: look with intelligence on the fire too.
دیگهای فکر می‌بینی به جوش ** اندر آتش هم نظر می‌کن به هوش
God said to Job, “I have graciously bestowed a (gift of) patience upon every hair of thee.
گفت حق ایوب را در مکرمت ** من بهر موییت صبری دادمت
Hark, do not pay so much regard to thy patience: thou hast seen (thy) patience, (now) look at (My) giving (thee) patience.”
هین به صبر خود مکن چندین نظر ** صبر دیدی صبر دادن را نگر
How long wilt thou behold the revolution of the water-wheel? Put forth thy head and behold the rapid water (that turns it).2905
چند بینی گردش دولاب را ** سر برون کن هم ببین تیز آب را
Thou wilt say, “I am beholding it”; but there are many good signs of (really) beholding it.
تو همی‌گویی که می‌بینم ولیک ** دید آن را بس علامتهاست نیک
When thou hast taken a summary view of the circling movement of the foam, look upon the Sea if thou wantest (to feel) bewilderment.
گردش کف را چو دیدی مختصر ** حیرتت باید به دریا در نگر
He that regards the foam tells of the mystery, while he that regards the Sea is bewildered.
آنک کف را دید سر گویان بود ** وانک دریا دید او حیران بود
He that regards the foam forms intentions, while he that regards the Sea makes his heart (one with) the Sea.
آنک کف را دید نیتها کند ** وانک دریا دید دل دریا کند