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
Since Thou art alone (without partner) in my creation, do Thou adjust (accordingly) the matter of providing me with daily bread.”
چونک در خلاقیم تنها توی ** کار رزاقیم تو کن مستوی
For years this prayer was frequently uttered by him, and at last his supplication took effect,1840
سالها زو این دعا بسیار شد ** عاقبت زاری او بر کار شد
As (in the case of) the person who used to beg God to grant him a lawful livelihood without labour and fatigue,
همچو آن شخصی که روزی حلال ** از خدا میخواست بیکسب و کلال
(Till) at length the cow brought him happiness: (’twas in) the epoch of David whose justice was divinely inspired.
گاو آوردش سعادت عاقبت ** عهد داود لدنی معدلت
This thrall of love, too, made piteous entreaties, and he likewise carried off the ball from the field of (favourable) response.
این متیم نیز زاریها نمود ** هم ز میدان اجابت گو ربود
(Yet) while praying he would at times become distrustful on account of the postponement of the recompense and reward;
گاه بدظن میشدی اندر دعا ** از پی تاخیر پاداش و جزا
(And then) again the gracious Lord's deferment (of his hopes) would bring a message of joy to his heart and become a surety (for their fulfilment).1845
باز ارجاء خداوند کریم ** در دلش بشار گشتی و زعیم
Whenever in (the course of his) earnest supplication weariness caused him to despair, he would hear from the Presence of God (the call) “Come!”
چون شدی نومید در جهد از کلال ** از جناب حق شنیدی که تعال
This (Divine) Maker is He who abaseth and exalteth: without these two (attributes) no work is accomplished.
خافضست و رافعست این کردگار ** بی ازین دو بر نیاید هیچ کار
Consider the lowness of the earth and the loftiness of the sky: without these two (attributes) its (the sky's) revolution is not (possible), O such-and-such.
خفض ارضی بین و رفع آسمان ** بی ازین دو نیست دورانش ای فلان
The lowness and loftiness of this earth are of another sort: for one half of the year it is barren and for (the other) half (it is) green and fresh.
خفض و رفع این زمین نوعی دگر ** نیم سالی شوره نیمی سبز و تر
The lowness and loftiness of distressful Time are of another sort: one half day and (the other) half night.1850
خفض و رفع روزگار با کرب ** نوع دیگر نیم روز و نیم شب
The lowness and loftiness of this blended (bodily) temperament (of ours) are now health and now sickness that causes (us) to cry out (in pain).
خفض و رفع این مزاج ممترج ** گاه صحت گاه رنجوری مضج