The whole night until dawn that exalted King is Himself uttering an ‘Alast’ (‘Am not I...?’) and (answering) ‘Yea.’2300
تا سحر جمله شب آن شاه علی ** خود همی‌گوید الستی و بلی
Where is anyone to say’ Yea’? The flood of (slumber) has swept them all away, or a leviathan has swallowed them all piecemeal.
کو بلی‌گو جمله را سیلاب برد ** یا نهنگی خورد کل را کرد و مرد
At morning tide, when He draws His sheeny sword from the scabbard of the darkness of night,
صبح‌دم چون تیغ گوهردار خود ** از نیام ظلمت شب بر کند
And the orient sun rolls up (makes an end of) night, this leviathan spews out all that it swallowed,
آفتاب شرق شب را طی کند ** از نهنگ آن خورده‌ها را قی کند
And we, delivered like Jonah from the belly of that leviathan, are dispersed into (the world of) scent and colour.
رسته چون یونس ز معده‌ی آن نهنگ ** منتشر گردیم اندر بو و رنگ
Like Jonah, the people give praise (to God), because they were restful in that darkness.2305
خلق چون یونس مسبح آمدند ** کاندر آن ظلمات پر راحت شدند
At the hour of dawn each one says, when he comes forth from the belly of the (great) Fish, Night,
هر یکی گوید به هنگام سحر ** چون ز بطن حوت شب آید به در
‘O Gracious One who dost deposit in lonesome (fearful) Night the treasure of Mercy and all these delicious experiences!
کای کریمی که در آن لیل وحش ** گنج رحمت بنهی و چندین چشش
By means of Night, which resembles the scaly leviathan, the eve (is made) keen, the ear fresh, and the body nimble.
چشم تیز و گوش تازه تن سبک ** از شب هم‌چون نهنگ ذوالحبک
Henceforth, with One like Thee (beside us), we will never flee from positions of fearful aspect.
از مقامات وحش‌رو زین سپس ** هیچ نگریزیم ما با چون تو کس
Moses deemed that (which he saw) to be fire, but it was (really) light: we regarded Night as a (hideous) negro, but it was (really) a houri.2310
موسی آن را نار دید و نور بود ** زنگیی دیدیم شب را حور بود
After this, we beg of Thee (only) the eye (that sees truly), in order that sticks and straws may not conceal the Sea (from us).’
بعد ازین ما دیده خواهیم از تو بس ** تا نپوشد بحر را خاشاک و خس
When the eyes of (Pharaoh’s) magicians were delivered from blindness, they were clapping their hands (joyfully), (though) deprived of these (bodily) hands and feet.
ساحران را چشم چون رست از عمی ** کف‌زنان بودند بی‌این دست و پا
What bandages the people’s eyes is nothing but means (secondary causes): whoever trembles (in anxiety) for (the loss of) means is not one of the Comrades.
چشم‌بند خلق جز اسباب نیست ** هر که لرزد بر سبب ز اصحاب نیست
But, O my comrades, God has opened the door to the Comrades and led them to the high-seat in the palace.
لیک حق اصحابنا اصحاب را ** در گشاد و برد تا صدر سرا
Through His hand the unworthy and the worthy are freed by Mercy from the bonds of servitude.2315
با کفش نامستحق و مستحق ** معتقان رحمت‌اند از بند رق
During (our) non-existence how were we worthy to attain to this spirituality and knowledge?
در عدم ما مستحقان کی بدیم ** که برین جان و برین دانش زدیم
O Thou who hast made every stranger (Thy) friend, and O Thou who hast given the rose as a robe of honour to the thorn,
ای بکرده یار هر اغیار را ** وی بداده خلعت گل خار را
Sift our dust a second time, make (our) nothing to be some thing once more!
خاک ما را ثانیا پالیز کن ** هیچ نی را بار دیگر چیز کن
Thou didst command this invocation (of Thee) from the beginning; else how should a creature of dust have dared (to do) this?
این دعا تو امر کردی ز ابتدا ** ورنه خاکی را چه زهره‌ی این بدی
Since—oh, wonder !—Thou didst command us to invoke Thee, cause this invocation of Thee to be answered favourably.2320
چون دعامان امر کردی ای عجاب ** این دعای خویش را کن مستجاب
Night has wrecked the ship of (my) understanding and senses: no hope is left, nor fear nor despair.
شب شکسته کشتی فهم و حواس ** نه امیدی مانده نه خوف و نه یاس
God has borne me into the sea of Mercy: (I know not) with what specialty He will fill me and send me (back to the world).
برده در دریای رحمت ایزدم ** تا ز چه فن پر کند بفرستدم
He fills one with the light of Majesty, while He fills another with (vain) imagination and fancy.
آن یکی را کرده پر نور جلال ** وآن دگر را کرده پر وهم و خیال
If I had any judgement and skill by myself, my judgement and forethought would be under my control;
گر بخویشم هیچ رای و فن بدی ** رای و تدبیرم به حکم من بدی