Unless (the intermediary be) a cloud (that) becomes naughted in the Way (to God) in order that it may not be a veil to the face of the Moon.
یا مگر ابری شود فانی راه ** تا نگردد او حجاب روی ماه
In the aspect of lá (self-negation) it (such a cloud) displays His (the Moon's) form, like the bodies of the prophets and saints.
صورتش بنماید او در وصف لا ** هم‌چو جسم انبیا و اولیا
Such a cloud is not veil-tying; it is in reality veil-tearing (and) salutary.705
آنچنان ابری نباشد پرده‌بند ** پرده‌در باشد به معنی سودمند
’Tis as when, on a bright morning, drops of rain were falling though there was no cloud above (in the sky).
آنچنان که اندر صباح روشنی ** قطره می‌بارید و بالا ابر نی
That water-skin was a miracle of the Prophet: from self-effacement the cloud (which replenished it) had become of the same colour as the sky.
معجزه‌ی پیغامبری بود آن سقا ** گشته ابر از محو هم‌رنگ سما
The cloud was (there), but the cloud-nature had gone from it: the body of the lover (of God) becomes like this by means of renunciation.
بود ابر و رفته از وی خوی ابر ** این چنین گردد تن عاشق به صبر
It is body, but corporeality has vanished from it: it has been transfigured, colour and perfume have gone from it.
تن بود اما تنی گم گشته زو ** گشته مبدل رفته از وی رنگ و بو
(My) feathers are for the sake of others, while (my) head is for my own sake: (the head which is) the abode of hearing and sight is the pillar (support) of the body.710
پر پی غیرست و سر از بهر من ** خانه‌ی سمع و بصر استون تن
Know that to sacrifice the spirit for the sake of catching others is absolute infidelity and despair of good.
جان فدا کردن برای صید غیر ** کفر مطلق دان و نومیدی ز خیر
Beware! Do not be like sugar before parrots; nay, be a poison, be secure from loss;
هین مشو چون قند پیش طوطیان ** بلک زهری شو شو آمن از زیان
Or (otherwise), for the sake of having a ‘Bravo’ addressed to thee, make thyself (as) a carcase in the presence of dogs!
یا برای شادباشی در خطاب ** خویش چون مردار کن پی کلاب
Therefore Khadir scuttled the boat for this purpose, (namely), that the boat might be delivered from him who would have seized it by force.
پس خضر کشتی برای این شکست ** تا که آن کشتی ز غاصب باز رست
(The mystery of) ‘Poverty is my pride’ is sublime: (it is) for the purpose that I may take refuge from the covetous with Him who is Self-sufficient.715
فقر فخری بهر آن آمد سنی ** تا ز طماعان گریزم در غنی
Treasures are deposited in a ruined spot to the end that they may escape the greed of those who dwell in places of cultivation.
گنجها را در خرابی زان نهند ** تا ز حرص اهل عمران وا رهند
(If) thou canst not tear out thy feathers, go, adopt (a life of) solitude, that thou mayst not be entirely squandered (consumed) by that one and this one;
پر نتانی کند رو خلوت گزین ** تا نگردی جمله خرج آن و این
For thou art both the morsel (of food) and the eater of the morsel: thou art the devourer and the devoured. Apprehend (this), O (dear) soul!
زآنک تو هم لقمه‌ای هم لقمه‌خوار ** آکل و ماکولی ای جان هوش‌دار
Explaining that everything except God is devouring and devoured, like the bird that was in pursuit of a locust and occupied in chasing it and oblivious of the hungry hawk behind its own back, that was about to seize it. Now, O hunting and devouring man, be not secure against thine own hunter and devourer. Though with the sight of the (physical) eye thou seest him not, (yet) see him with the eye of serious consideration till the opening of the eye of the inmost heart (oculus cordis).
در بیان آنک ما سوی الله هر چیزی آکل و ماکولست هم‌چون آن مرغی کی قصد صید ملخ می‌کرد و به صید ملخ مشغول می‌بود و غافل بود از باز گرسنه کی از پس قفای او قصد صید او داشت اکنون ای آدمی صیاد آکل از صیاد و آکل خود آمن مباش اگر چه نمی‌بینیش به نظر چشم به نظر دلیل و عبرتش می‌بین تا چشم نیز باز شدن
A little bird was hunting a worm: a cat found its opportunity and seized it.
مرغکی اندر شکار کرم بود ** گربه فرصت یافت او را در ربود
It (the bird) was a devourer and a thing devoured, and (being engrossed) in its hunting was ignorant of another hunter.720
آکل و ماکول بود و بی‌خبر ** در شکار خود ز صیادی دگر
Although the thief is (engaged) in hunting articles of property, (yet) the prefect of police with (the thief's) enemies is behind him (on his track).
دزد گرچه در شکار کاله‌ایست ** شحنه با خصمانش در دنباله‌ایست
His mind is occupied with chattels and lock and door: he is heedless of the prefect and of the outcry (that will arise) at dawn.
عقل او مشغول رخت و قفل و در ** غافل از شحنه‌ست و از آه سحر
He is so absorbed in his passion (for gain) he gives no heed to his seekers and pursuers.
او چنان غرقست در سودای خود ** غافلست از طالب و جویای خود
If the herbage is drinking pure water, (yet) afterwards an animal's belly will feed on it.
گر حشیش آب و هوایی می‌خورد ** معده‌ی حیوانش در پی می‌چرد
That grass is devouring and devoured: even so (is) everything that exists except God.725
آکل و ماکول آمد آن گیاه ** هم‌چنین هر هستیی غیر اله
Since He is (the subject of the text) and He feedeth you and is not fed, God is not devouring and devoured, (like) flesh and skin.
و هو یطعمکم و لا یطعم چو اوست ** نیست حق ماکول و آکل لحم و پوست
How should that which is devouring and devoured be secure from a devourer who dwells in a (secret) hiding-place?
آکل و ماکول کی ایمن بود ** ز آکلی که اندر کمین ساکن بود