We said “born,” but in reality they are not born, and this expression is only (used) in order to guide (the understanding).
زاده گفتیم و حقیقت زاد نیست ** وین عبارت جز پی ارشاد نیست
Hark, be silent that the King of Say may speak: do not play the nightingale with a Rose of this kind.1815
هین خمش کن تا بگوید شاه قل ** بلبلی مفروش با این جنس گل
This eloquent Rose is full of song and cry: O nightingale, let thy tongue cease, be (all) ear!
این گل گویاست پر جوش و خروش ** بلبلا ترک زبان کن باش گوش
Both (these) kinds of pure ideal forms are valid (trustworthy) witnesses to the mystery of union.
هر دو گون تمثال پاکیزهمثال ** شاهد عدلاند بر سر وصال
Both (these) kinds of subtle and delectable beauty are witnesses to (spiritual) pregnancies and growing big (with child) in the past,
هر دو گون حسن لطیف مرتضی ** شاهد احبال و حشر ما مضی
Like ice that in the brilliant (month of) Tamúz is ever telling the story of winter
همچو یخ کاندر تموز مستجد ** هر دم افسانهی زمستان میکند
And recalling the cold winds and intense frost in those hard days and times;1820
ذکر آن اریاح سرد و زمهریر ** اندر آن ازمان و ایام عسیر
(Or) like fruit that in winter-time tells the story of God's lovingkindness
همچو آن میوه که در وقت شتا ** میکند افسانهی لطف خدا
And the tale of the season when the sun was smiling and embracing the brides of the orchard. [And the tale of the season when the sun was (enjoying) touching and copulating (with) the brides of the orchard.]
قصهی دور تبسمهای شمس ** وآن عروسان چمن را لمس و طمس
The ecstasy is gone but thy (every) part remains as a souvenir: either inquire of it, or thyself recall (the ecstasy) to mind.
حال رفت و ماند جزوت یادگار ** یا ازو واپرس یا خود یاد آر
When grief takes possession of thee, if thou art a fit (alert and capable) person thou wouldst question that moment of despair
And wouldst say to it, “O Sorrow that deniest implicitly the allowance of favours (bestowed upon thee) by that Perfection,1825
گفتییش ای غصهی منکر به حال ** راتبهی انعامها را زان کمال
If Spring and (its) fresh gladness are not always thine, (then) of what is thy body, (which is) like a heap of roses, the storehouse?
گر بهر دم نت بهار و خرمیست ** همچو چاش گل تنت انبار چیست
Thy body is a heap of roses, thy thought is like rose-water; the rose-water denies the rose: lo, here is a marvel!”
چاش گل تن فکر تو همچون گلاب ** منکر گل شد گلاب اینت عجاب
(Even) straw is refused to those who apishly show ingratitude, (while) sun and cloud (sunshine and rain) are lavished on those who resemble the prophets in disposition.
از کپیخویان کفران که دریغ ** بر نبیخویان نثار مهر و میغ
That obstinacy in (showing) ingratitude is the rule followed by the ape, while that thankfulness and gratitude is the way of the prophet.
آن لجاج کفر قانون کپیست ** وآن سپاس و شکر منهاج نبیست
(See) what was done to the apish by their deeds of shame; (see) what was done to those of prophetic complexion by their acts of piety!1830
با کپیخویان تهتکها چه کرد ** با نبیرویان تنسکها چه کرد
In well-cultivated places there are curs and biting (dogs); in ruined places there is the treasure of glory and light.
در عمارتها سگانند و عقور ** در خرابیهاست گنج عز و نور
If this (spiritual) moonlight had not been in eclipse, so many philosophers would not have lost the (right) way.
گر نبودی این بزوغ اندر خسوف ** گم نکردی راه چندین فیلسوف
Through losing their way the acute and intelligent saw the brand of foolishness on their noses.
زیرکان و عاقلان از گمرهی ** دیده بر خرطوم داغ ابلهی
The remainder of the Story of the fakir who desired (to receive) his daily bread without (having recourse to) work as a means (of earning it).
باقی قصهی فقیر روزیطلب بیواسطهی کسب
In his grief that wretched pauper, who suffered a thousand agonies on account of indigence,
آن یکی بیچارهی مفلس ز درد ** که ز بیچیزی هزاران زهر خورد
Used to beseech (God) in prayer and invocation, crying, “O Lord and Guardian of (them that are) the shepherds (of their people),1835
لابه کردی در نماز و در دعا ** کای خداوند و نگهبان رعا
Thou didst create me without any exertion (on my part): give me daily bread from this mansion (the world) without contrivance (on my part).
بی ز جهدی آفریدی مر مرا ** بی فن من روزیم ده زین سرا
Thou gavest me the five jewels in the casket of my head, and also five other occult senses.
پنج گوهر دادیم در درج سر ** پنج حس دیگری هم مستتر
These gifts of Thine are not to be numbered or computed; in setting them forth I am tongue-tied and shamefaced.
لا یعد این داد و لا یحصی ز تو ** من کلیلم از بیانش شرمرو