He who turns the fire (of Nimrod) into roses and trees is also able to make this (World-fire) harmless.1740
آنک آتش را کند ورد و شجر ** هم تواند کرد این را بیضرر
He who brings forth roses from the very midst of thorns is also able to turn this winter into spring.
آنک گل آرد برون از عین خار ** هم تواند کرد این دی را بهار
He by whom every cypress is made ‘free’ (evergreen) hath the power if He would turn sorrow into joy.
آنک زو هر سرو آزادی کند ** قادرست ار غصه را شادی کند
He by whom every non-existence is made existent—what damage would He suffer if He were to preserve it for ever?
آنک شد موجود از وی هر عدم ** گر بدارد باقیش او را چه کم
He who gives the body a soul that it may live—how would He be a loser if He did not cause it to die?
آنک تن را جان دهد تا حی شود ** گر نمیراند زیانش کی شود
What, indeed, would it matter if that Bounteous One should bestow on His servant the desire of his soul without (painful) toil,1745
خود چه باشد گر ببخشد آن جواد ** بنده را مقصود جان بیاجتهاد
And keep far off from poor (mortals) the cunning of the flesh and the temptation of the Devil (which lurk) in ambush?”
دور دارد از ضعیفان در کمین ** مکر نفس و فتنهی دیو لعین
The Cadi's reply to the Súfí.
جواب دادن قاضی صوفی را
The Cadi said, “Were there no bitter (stern) Commandment (from God) and were there no good and evil and no pebbles and pearls,
گفت قاضی گر نبودی امر مر ** ور نبودی خوب و زشت و سنگ و در
And were there no flesh and Devil and passions, and were there no blows and battle and war,
ور نبودی نفس و شیطان و هوا ** ور نبودی زخم و چالیش و وغا
Then by what name and title would the King call His servants, O abandoned man?
پس به چه نام و لقب خواندی ملک ** بندگان خویش را ای منهتک
How could He say, ‘O steadfast one’ and ‘O forbearing one’? How could He say, ‘O brave one’ and ‘O wise one’?1750
چون بگفتی ای صبور و ای حلیم ** چون بگفتی ای شجاع و ای حکیم
How could there be steadfast and sincere and spending men without a brigand and accursed Devil?
صابرین و صادقین و منفقین ** چون بدی بی رهزن و دیو لعین
Rustam and Hamza and a catamite would be (all) one; knowledge and wisdom would be annulled and utterly demolished.
رستم و حمزه و مخنث یک بدی ** علم و حکمت باطل و مندک بدی
Knowledge and wisdom exist for the purpose of (distinguishing between) the right path and the wrong paths: when all (paths) are the right path, knowledge and wisdom are void (of meaning).
علم و حکمت بهر راه و بیرهیست ** چون همه ره باشد آن حکمت تهیست
Do you think it allowable that both the worlds should be ruined for the sake of this briny (foul) shop of the (sensual) nature?
بهر این دکان طبع شورهآب ** هر دو عالم را روا داری خراب
I know that you are pure (enlightened), not raw (foolish), and that these questions of yours are (asked) for the sake of (instructing) the vulgar.1755
من همیدانم که تو پاکی نه خام ** وین سالت هست از بهر عوام
The cruelty of Time (Fortune) and every affliction that exists are lighter than farness from God and forgetfulness (of Him),
جور دوران و هر آن رنجی که هست ** سهلتر از بعد حق و غفلتست
Because these (afflictions) will pass, (but) that (forgetfulness) will not. (Only) he that brings his spirit (to God) awake (and mindful of Him) is possessed of felicity.”
زآنک اینها بگذرند آن نگذرد ** دولت آن دارد که جان آگه برد
A Story setting forth that patience in bearing worldly affliction is easier than patience in bearing separation from the Beloved.
حکایت در تقریر آنک صبر در رنج کار سهلتر از صبر در فراق یار بود
A certain woman said to her husband, “Hey, O you who have finished with generosity once and for all,
آن یکی زن شوی خود را گفت هی ** ای مروت را به یک ره کرده طی
Why have you no care for me? How long shall I dwell in this abode of misery?”
هیچ تیمارم نمیداری چرا ** تا بکی باشم درین خواری چرا
The husband replied, “I am doing my best to earn money; though I am destitute, I am moving hand and foot.1760
گفت شو من نفقه چاره میکنم ** گرچه عورم دست و پایی میزنم
O beloved, it is my duty (to provide you with) money and clothes: you get both these from me and they are not insufficient.”
نفقه و کسوهست واجب ای صنم ** از منت این هر دو هست و نیست کم
The wife showed (him) the sleeve of her chemise: the chemise was very coarse and dirty.
آستین پیرهن بنمود زن ** بس درشت و پر وسخ بد پیرهن
“It is so rough,” said she, “it eats (wounds) my body: does any one get a garment of this kind for any one?”
گفت از سختی تنم را میخورد ** کس کسی را کسوه زین سان آورد
He said, “O wife, I will ask you one question. I am a poor man: this is all I know (how to do).
گفت ای زن یک سالت میکنم ** مرد درویشم همین آمد فنم