If he did not exist, the seas would not have gained the awe (which they inspire) and fish and regal pearls;2105
گر نبودی او نیابیدی به حار ** هیبت و ماهی و در شاهوار
If he did not exist, the earth would not have gained treasure within and jasmine (flowers and verdure) without.
گر نبودی او نیابیدی زمین ** در درونه گنج و بیرون یاسمین
(Our) means of sustenance are eating the means of sustenance bestowed by him: the fruits are dry-lipped (thirsty) for his rain.
رزقها هم رزقخواران ویاند ** میوهها لبخشک باران ویاند
Take heed, for in the (Divine) command (to give alms) this knot is (tied) upside down. Give alms to him who gives alms to yourself.
هین که معکوس است در امر این گره ** صدقهبخش خویش را صدقه بده
All (your) gold and silk comes to you from the (apparently) poor man: hark, give an alms to the (really) rich man, O you who are (really) poor.
از فقیرستت همه زر و حریر ** هین غنی راده زکاتی ای فقیر
A disgrace (an infamous creature) like thee, married to that man whose spirit is accepted (by God), resembles the unbelieving wedded wife of Noah.2110
چون تو ننگی جفت آن مقبولروح ** چون عیال کافر اندر عقد نوح
Were it not for thy relationship to this (blessed) house, I would tear thee to pieces at this moment.
گر نبودی نسبت تو زین سرا ** پارهپاره کردمی این دم ترا
I would deliver that Noah from thee, in order that I might be ennobled (by being slain) in retaliation.
دادمی آن نوح را از تو خلاص ** تا مشرف گشتمی من در قصاص
But such a disrespect to the house of the emperor of the world cannot be shown by me.
لیک با خانهی شهنشاه زمن ** این چنین گستاخیی ناید ز من
Go and thank God that thou art the dog of this dwelling-place, (for) otherwise I would do now what ought to be done.”
رو دعا کن که سگ این موطنی ** ورنه اکنون کردمی من کردنی
How the disciple turned back from the Shaykh's house and questioned the people (in the neighbourhood), and how they directed him, saying, “The Shaykh has gone to such and such a forest.”
واگشتن مرید از وثاق شیخ و پرسیدن از مردم و نشان دادن ایشان کی شیخ به فلان بیشه رفته است
Afterwards he began to inquire of every one and sought the Shaykh for a long while in every quarter.2115
بعد از آن پرسان شد او از هر کسی ** شیخ را میجست از هر سو بسی
Then (at last) somebody said to him, “That Qutb (Pivot) of the world has gone to fetch faggots from the hilly country.”
پس کسی گفتش که آن قطب دیار ** رفت تا هیزم کشد از کوهسار
The disciple, whose thoughts were (like) Dhu ’l-faqár (a sharp sword), ran quickly to the forest in eager desire for the Shaykh.
آن مرید ذوالفقاراندیش تفت ** در هوای شیخ سوی بیشه رفت
(But) the Devil was introducing to the (young) man's mind an evil suggestion, in order that the (spiritual) Moon might be concealed by dust,
دیو میآورد پیش هوش مرد ** وسوسه تا خفیه گردد مه ز گرد
Namely, “Why should this Shaykh of the (true) religion keep in his house a woman like this as his mate and companion?
کین چنین زن را چرا این شیخ دین ** دارد اندر خانه یار و همنشین
Whence (this) familiarity between opposite and opposite? Whence (comes it that) a nasnás (anthropoid ape) is (associated) with the Imám of mankind?”2120
ضد را با ضد ایناس از کجا ** با امامالناس نسناس از کجا
Then again he was exclaiming fervidly, “God help me! My impugning him (the Shaykh) is infidelity and enmity.
باز او لاحول میکرد آتشین ** که اعتراض من برو کفرست و کین
Who am I, in view of God's exercising (absolute) control (over everything he does), that my carnal soul should raise difficulties and objections?”
من کی باشم با تصرفهای حق ** که بر آرد نفس من اشکال و دق
But soon his carnal soul was returning to the attack—(for) in consequence of this acquaintance (there was) smoke in his straw-like heart—
باز نفسش حمله میآورد زود ** زین تعرف در دلش چون کاه دود
Saying, “What affinity has (this woman like) the Devil with (a saint like) Gabriel, that she should be his bedfellow in (connubial) intercourse?
که چه نسبت دیو را با جبرئیل ** که بود با او به صحبت هم مقیل
How can Khalíl (Abraham) agree with Ázar? How can a guide agree with a brigand?”2125
چون تواند ساخت با آزر خلیل ** چون تواند ساخت با رهزن دلیل
How the disciple gained his wish and met the Shaykh near the forest.
یافتن مرید مراد را و ملاقات او با شیخ نزدیک آن بیشه
He was (absorbed) in this (perplexity) when suddenly the renowned Shaykh appeared before him, riding on a lion.
اندرین بود او که شیخ نامدار ** زود پیش افتاد بر شیری سوار
The roaring lion carried his faggots, while that blessed one sat on the top of them.
شیر غران هیزمش را میکشید ** بر سر هیزم نشسته آن سعید
Because of the honour (in which God held him) his whip was a fierce serpent: he had grasped the serpent in his hand, like an ass-goad.
تازیانهش مار نر بود از شرف ** مار را بگرفته چون خرزن به کف
Know for certain that likewise every Shaykh that exists is riding on a furious lion.
تو یقین میدان که هر شیخی که هست ** هم سواری میکند بر شیر مست