This man (engaged in some occupation) is amazed at that man (occupied with something else) and says, “What is he about?” Every taster denies the other (whose taste is different).
این در آن حیران شده کان بر چیست ** هر چشنده آن دگر را نافیست
Unless those phantasies were incongruous, how did the modes of action become diverse externally?
آن خیالات ار نبد نامتلف ** چون ز بیرون شد روشها مختلف
Since the qibla (the true object) of the soul has been hidden, every one has turned his face to a (different) quarter.
قبله‌ی جان را چو پنهان کرده‌اند ** هر کسی رو جانبی آورده‌اند
Comparison of the different practices and the various aspirations (of mankind) to the disagreement of those who at prayer-time endeavour to find the qibla (direction of Mecca) when it is dark, and to the search of divers (for pearls) at the bottom of the sea.
تمثیل روشهای مختلف و همتهای گوناگون به اختلاف تحری متحریان در وقت نماز قبله را در وقت تاریکی و تحری غواصان در قعر بحر
(They are) like folk trying to find (the direction of the Ka‘ba) and (each) turning in a certain direction which they fancy is the qibla:
هم‌چو قومی که تحری می‌کنند ** بر خیال قبله سویی می‌تنند
When at dawn the Ka‘ba appears, it is discovered who has lost the (right) way;330
چونک کعبه رو نماید صبحگاه ** کشف گردد که کی گم کردست راه
Or like divers under the depth of the (sea)-water, every one (of whom) picks up something in haste:
یا چو غواصان به زیر قعر آب ** هر کسی چیزی همی‌چیند شتاب
In hope of (getting) precious jewels and pearls, they fill their bags with that and this;
بر امید گوهر و در ثمین ** توبره پر می‌کنند از آن و این
When they come up from the floor of the deep sea, the possessor of the great pearls is discovered,
چون بر آیند از تگ دریای ژرف ** کشف گردد صاحب در شگرف
And (also) the other who got the small pearls, and the other who got (only) pebbles and worthless shells.
وآن دگر که برد مروارید خرد ** وآن دگر که سنگ‌ریزه و شبه برد
Even thus in the Sáhira (place of Judgement) a shameful overwhelming tribulation will afflict them (the followers of phantasy).335
هکذی یبلوهم بالساهره ** فتنة ذات افتضاح قاهره
Similarly, every class of people in the world are fluttering like moths round a candle.
هم‌چنین هر قوم چون پروانگان ** گرد شمعی پرزنان اندر جهان
They attach themselves to a fire and circle round their own candle
خویشتن بر آتشی برمی‌زنند ** گرد شمع خود طوافی می‌کنند
In the hope of (gaining) the blessed fire of Moses, by the flame whereof the tree is made more green (flourishing).
بر امید آتش موسی بخت ** کز لهیبش سبزتر گردد درخت
Every troop (of them) has heard of the excellence of that fire, and all imagine that any spark is that (same fire).
فضل آن آتش شنیده هر رمه ** هر شرر را آن گمان برده همه
When the Light of Everlastingness rises at dawn, each (candle) reveals what (manner of) candle it was.340
چون برآید صبحدم نور خلود ** وا نماید هر یکی چه شمع بود
Whosoever's wings were burnt by the candle of victory, that goodly candle bestows on him eighty wings;
هر کرا پر سوخت زان شمع ظفر ** بدهدش آن شمع خوش هشتاد پر
(But) beneath the bad candle many a moth, whose eyes were sealed, is left (lying) with burnt wings,
جوق پروانه‌ی دو دیده دوخته ** مانده زیر شمع بد پر سوخته
Quivering in sorrow and anguish, lamenting the vain desire that seals the eyes.
می‌طپد اندر پشیمانی و سوز ** می‌کند آه از هوای چشم‌دوز
Its candle says (to it), “Since I am burnt, how should I deliver thee from burning (grief) and oppression?”
شمع او گوید که چون من سوختم ** کی ترا برهانم از سوز و ستم
Its candle weeps, saying, “My head is consumed: how should I make another resplendent?”345
شمع او گریان که من سرسوخته ** چون کنم مر غیر را افروخته
[Explanation of “Alas for the servants (of God)!”]
تفسیر یا حسرة علی العباد
It (the moth) says, “I was deceived by thy (outward) features and (too) late did I regard thy (inward) condition.”
او همی گوید که از اشکال تو ** غره گشتم دیر دیدم حال تو
The candle is extinguished, the wine is gone, and the Beloved has withdrawn himself from the disgrace of our squintness.
شمع مرده باده رفته دلربا ** غوطه خورد از ننگ کژبینی ما
Thy profits have become a loss and penalty: thou complainest bitterly to God of thy blindness.
ظلت الارباح خسرا مغرما ** نشتکی شکوی الی الله العمی
How excellent are the spirits of brethren trustworthy, self-surrendering, believing, obeying!
حبذا ارواح اخوان ثقات ** مسلمات مومنات قانتات
Every one (else) has turned his face in some direction, but those holy ones have turned towards that which transcends direction.350
هر کسی رویی به سویی برده‌اند ** وان عزیزان رو به بی‌سو کرده‌اند