Where were we when the Judge of Judgement (Day) was sowing reason in the water and clay (of Adam)?—
ما کجا بودیم کان دیان دین ** عقل می‌کارید اندر آب و طین
Since (’twas for us that) He was producing the sky from non-existence and spreading this carpet of earth,3135
چون همی کرد از عدم گردون پدید ** وین بساط خاک را می‌گسترید
And making lamps of the stars, and of the (four) natural properties a lock together with the keys (to open it).
ز اختران می‌ساخت او مصباح‌ها ** وز طبایع قفل با مفتاح‌ها
Oh, how many structures hidden (from sight) and plain to see has He enclosed in this roof (heaven) and this carpet (earth)!
ای بسا بنیادها پنهان و فاش ** مضمر این سقف کرد و این فراش
Adam is the astrolabe of the attributes of (Divine) Sublimity: the nature of Adam is the theatre for His revelations.
آدم اصطرلاب اوصاف علوست ** وصف آدم مظهر آیات اوست
Whatever appears in him (Adam) is the reflexion of Him, just as the moon is reflected in the water of the river.
هرچه در وی می‌نماید عکس اوست ** هم‌چو عکس ماه اندر آب جوست
The figures (cut) on the “spider” (uppermost tablet) on his astrolabe are there for the sake of (typifying) the Eternal Attributes,3140
بر صطرلابش نقوش عنکبوت ** بهر اوصاف ازل دارد ثبوت
In order that its “spider” may give lessons in exposition of the sky of the Unseen and the sun of the Spirit.
تا ز چرخ غیب وز خورشید روح ** عنکبوتش درس گوید از شروح
Without a (spiritual) astronomer (to explain their significance), the “spider” and this astrolabe which guides aright fall (uselessly) into the hands of the vulgar.
عنکبوت و این صطرلاب رشاد ** بی‌منجم در کف عام اوفتاد
God bestowed (knowledge of) this (spiritual) astronomy on the prophets: for (the mysteries of) the Unseen an eye that observes the Unseen is necessary.
انبیا را داد حق تنجیم این ** غیب را چشمی بباید غیب‌بین
These (worldly) generations fell into the well of the present world: every one saw in the well his own reflexion.
در چه دنیا فتادند این قرون ** عکس خود را دید هر یک چه درون
Know that what appears to you in the well is (really) from outside; else you are (like) the lion that plunged into the well (and was drowned).3145
از برون دان آنچ در چاهت نمود ** ورنه آن شیری که در چه شد فرود
A hare led him astray, saying, “O such-and-such, this furious lion (thy rival) is at the bottom of the well.
برد خرگوشیش از ره کای فلان ** در تگ چاهست آن شیر ژیان
Go into the well and wreak vengeance on him: tear off his head, since thou art mightier than he.”
در رو اندر چاه کین از وی بکش ** چون ازو غالب‌تری سر بر کنش
That (blind) follower of authority was subjugated by the hare: he was filled with boiling (fury) by his own fancy.
آن مقلد سخره‌ی خرگوش شد ** از خیال خویشتن پر جوش شد
He did not say, “This image is not produced by the water: this is not (produced) by anything except the changing activity of the (Divine) Changer.”
او نگفت این نقش داد آب نیست ** این به جز تقلیب آن قلاب نیست
So when you, O slave to the six (directions), wreak vengeance on your enemy you are in error concerning all the six.3150
تو هم از دشمن چو کینی می‌کشی ** ای زبون شش غلط در هر ششی
That enmity in him (your enemy) is reflected from God, for it is derived from the (Divine) attributes of Wrath (which are manifested) there;
آن عداوت اندرو عکس حقست ** کز صفات قهر آنجا مشتقست
And that sin in him is homogeneous with your sin: you must wash that (evil) disposition out of your own nature.
وآن گنه در وی ز جنس جرم تست ** باید آن خو را ز طبع خویش شست
Your evil character showed itself to you in him because he was (like) the surface of a mirror to you.
خلق زشتت اندرو رویت نمود ** که ترا او صفحه‌ی آیینه بود
When you have seen your ugliness in the mirror, O Hasan, do not strike (a blow) at the mirror!
چونک قبح خویش دیدی ای حسن ** اندر آیینه بر آیینه مزن
A lofty star is reflected in the water, and you cast earth on the star's reflexion,3155
می‌زند بر آب استاره‌ی سنی ** خاک تو بر عکس اختر می‌زنی
Saying, “This unlucky star has come into the water to overthrow my good luck.”
کین ستاره‌ی نحس در آب آمدست ** تا کند او سعد ما را زیردست
You pour upon it the earth of subjection, because on account of the resemblance you deem it to be the star (itself).