Caravan on caravan, they arrive from this Desert every evening and morning.
کاروان بر کاروان زین بادیه ** می‌رسد در هر مسا و غادیه
They come and seize our houses in distraint, (each one) saying, “I have arrived, ’tis my turn, do thou begone!”
آید و گیرد وثاق ما گرو ** که رسیدم نوبت ما شد تو رو
When the son has opened the eye of reason (attained to years of discretion), the father at once puts his (own) baggage in the cart.2775
چون پسر چشم خرد را بر گشاد ** زود بابا رخت بر گردون نهاد
’Tis (like) the King's highway—(travellers) departing and arriving, one going in this direction, another in that direction.
جاده‌ی شاهست آن زین سو روان ** وآن از آن سو صادران و واردان
Consider well! We, (though apparently) sitting still, are (really) marching: don't you see that we are bound for a new place (of abode)?
نیک بنگر ما نشسته می‌رویم ** می‌نبینی قاصد جای نویم
You do not get (and spend) your capital for any present need; nay, but (you keep it) for your ultimate purposes.
بهر حالی می‌نگیری راس مال ** بلک از بهر غرض‌ها در مل
The traveller, then, O devotee of the Way, is he whose march and face are towards the future,
پس مسافر این بود ای ره‌پرست ** که مسیر و روش در مستقبلست
Even as the troops of Phantasy are at every moment arriving (and passing) unweariedly through the curtains of the heart.2780
هم‌چنانک از پرده‌ی دل بی‌کلال ** دم به دم در می‌رسد خیل خیال
If (these) ideas are not (sprung) from one (and the same) Plantation, how are they coming to the heart on each other's heels?
گر نه تصویرات از یک مغرس‌اند ** در پی هم سوی دل چون می‌رسند
Company after company, the army of our ideas, (impelled) by thirst, is speeding towards the fountain of the heart.
جوق جوق اسپاه تصویرات ما ** سوی چشمه‌ی دل شتابان از ظما
They fill their jars and go: they are continually appearing and vanishing.
جره‌ها پر می‌کنند و می‌روند ** دایما پیدا و پنهان می‌شوند
Regard (your) thoughts as stars of the sky (which are) revolving in the sphere of another heaven.
فکرها را اختران چرخ دان ** دایر اندر چرخ دیگر آسمان
(If) you have experienced good fortune (spiritual thoughts), give thanks (to God) and do works of charity; (if) you have experienced bad fortune (sensual thoughts), give alms and ask pardon (of God).2785
سعد دیدی شکر کن ایثار کن ** نحس دیدی صدقه و استغفار کن
Who am I in relation to this? Come, O my King, make my ruling star auspicious and wheel once (towards me).
ما کییم این را بیا ای شاه من ** طالعم مقبل کن و چرخی بزن
Illumine my spirit with moonbeams, for my soul is blackened (eclipsed) by contact with the (Dragon's) Tail.
روح را تابان کن از انوار ماه ** که ز آسیب ذنب جان شد سیاه
Deliver it from fancy and vain imagination and opinion, deliver it from the well and the tyranny of the rope,
از خیال و وهم و ظن بازش رهان ** از چه و جور رسن بازش رهان
In order that through Thy goodly lovingkindness a heart (such as mine) may lift its wings and soar up from a (body of) water and earth.
تا ز دلداری خوب تو دلی ** پر بر آرد بر پرد ز آب و گلی
O Prince of Egypt and faithful keeper of thy promise, the wronged Joseph is in thy prison.2790
ای عزیز مصر و در پیمان درست ** یوسف مظلوم در زندان تست
Quickly dream a dream of his release, for God loveth the beneficent.
در خلاص او یکی خوابی ببین ** زود که الله یحب المحسنین
The seven noxious lean kine are devouring its (the spirit's) seven fat kine.
هفت گاو لاغری پر گزند ** هفت گاو فربهش را می‌خورند
The seven dry, ugly, and unapproved ears of corn are feeding on its fresh ears.
هفت خوشه‌ی خشک زشت ناپسند ** سنبلات تازه‌اش را می‌چرند
Famine has arisen in its Egypt, O mighty Potentate: hark, O King, do not continue to sanction this.
قحط از مصرش بر آمد ای عزیز ** هین مباش ای شاه این را مستجیز