Let that pearl-shedding sea (of thine) break into surge: to-day ask kindly after this ailing one.
جوش ده آن بحر گوهربار را ** خوش بپرس امروز این بیمار را
When thou hast become his, the sea (of spiritual mysteries) is his, even though this is the hour of his crisis.2000
چون تو آن او شدی بحر آن اوست ** گرچه این دم نوبت بحران اوست
This (Mathnawí) is only the wailful music that he has uttered; (as for) that which is (kept) hidden (within him), (have) mercy, O Lord!
این خود آن نالهست کو کرد آشکار ** آنچ پنهانست یا رب زینهار
We have two vocal mouths, like the reed: one mouth is hidden in his lips.
دو دهان داریم گویا همچو نی ** یک دهان پنهانست در لبهای وی
One mouth is wailing unto you: it lets (many) a shrill note fall on the air;
یک دهان نالان شده سوی شما ** های هویی در فکنده در هوا
But every one who hath insight knows that the lamentation (issuing) at this end is (inspired) from that end.
لیک داند هر که او را منظرست ** که فغان این سری هم زان سرست
The noise of this reed is from his breaths: the spirit's outcry is from his outcry.2005
دمدمهی این نای از دمهای اوست ** های هوی روح از هیهای اوست
If the reed had no converse with his lip, the reed would not fill the world with (music sweet as) sugar.
گر نبودی با لبش نی را سمر ** نی جهان را پر نکردی از شکر
With whom hast thou slept and from what (whose) side hast thou risen, that thou art so full of agitation, like the sea?
با کی خفتی وز چه پهلو خاستی ** که چنین پر جوش چون دریاستی
Or hast thou recited (the words of the Prophet), “I pass the night with my Lord,” and plunged into the heart of the sea of fire?
یا ابیت عند ربی خواندی ** در دل دریای آتش راندی
The shout (of God), “O fire, be cool,” became a protection to thy spirit, O exemplar (for all).
نعرهی یا نار کونی باردا ** عصمت جان تو گشت ای مقتدا
O Radiance of God, Husám (Sword) religious and spiritual, how can a sun be daubed over with clay?2010
ای ضیاء الحق حسام دین و دل ** کی توان اندود خورشیدی به گل
These lumps of clay (thy detractors) attempted (in vain) to cover up thy sun.
قصد کردستند این گلپارهها ** که بپوشانند خورشید ترا
The rubies in the mountain's heart are brokers (advertisers) of thee; the orchards in (their) laughter (full-blown beauty) are filled to the brim with thee.
در دل که لعلها دلال تست ** باغها از خنده مالامال تست
For one familiar (as I am) with thy manhood, where is a Rustam that I might tell (him) a single barley-corn (thereof) out of (thy) hundred stacks?
محرم مردیت را کو رستمی ** تا ز صد خرمن یکی جو گفتمی
When I wish to sigh forth thy secret, like ‘Alí I put my head down into a well.
چون بخواهم کز سرت آهی کنم ** چون علی سر را فرو چاهی کنم
Since his brethren have vindictive hearts, the bottom of the well is (the) best (place) for my Joseph.2015
چونک اخوان را دل کینهورست ** یوسفم را قعر چه اولیترست
I have become intoxicated, I will set about making a row: what of the well? I will pitch my tent in the open plain.
مست گشتم خویش بر غوغا زنم ** چه چه باشد خیمه بر صحرا زنم
Put the fiery wine in my hand, and then behold the pomp and glory that is enjoyed by the drunken!
بر کف من نه شراب آتشین ** وانگه آن کر و فر مستانه بین
Bid the fakir wait (though he is still) without the treasure, for at this moment we are drowned in the syrup (of union).
منتظر گو باش بی گنج آن فقیر ** زآنک ما غرقیم این دم در عصیر
Now, O fakir, seek refuge with God: do not seek help from me who am drowned;
از خدا خواه ای فقیر این دم پناه ** از من غرقه شده یاری مخواه
For I have no concern with lending support (to you): I have no recollection of myself and my own beard.2020
که مرا پروای آن اسناد نیست ** از خود و از ریش خویشم یاد نیست
How should there be room for wind of the moustache (self-assertion) and water of the face (personal reputation) in the wine in which there is no room for a single hair (of self-existence)?
باد سبلت کی بگنجد و آب رو ** در شرابی که نگنجد تار مو
Hand (him) a heavy (large) goblet, O cup-bearer: deliver the Khwája from his beard and moustache.
در ده ای ساقی یکی رطلی گران ** خواجه را از ریش و سبلت وا رهان
His arrogance is (contemptuously) curling a moustache at us, but he is (really) tearing out his beard in envy of us.
نخوتش بر ما سبالی میزند ** لیک ریش از رشک ما بر میکند