He (such an one) makes a resolution, saying, “O (my) heart, do not stay there!” (but soon) he becomes forgetful, for he is not (really) resolute.
عزم کرده که دلا آنجا مهایست ** گشته ناسی زانک اهل عزم نیست
Since there was no seed of sincerity sown by him, God has caused him to forget that (resolution).355
چون نبودش تخم صدقی کاشته ** حق برو نسیان آن بگماشته
Though he strikes the match of his heart, the Hand of God is always extinguishing the star (spark).
گرچه بر آتشزنهی دل میزند ** آن ستارهش را کف حق میکشد
A Story in further exposition of this.
قصهای هم در تقریر این
A man of trust heard a sound of footsteps (in his house) during the night: he took up the fire-lighter to strike a flame.
شرفهای بشنید در شب معتمد ** برگرفت آتشزنه که آتش زند
At that (same) moment the thief came and sat down beside him, and whenever the tinder caught (fire) he put it out,
دزد آمد آن زمان پیشش نشست ** چون گرفت آن سوخته میکرد پست
Laying the tip of his finger on the place, in order that the fiery star (spark) might vanish.
مینهاد آنجا سر انگشت را ** تا شود استارهی آتش فنا
The Khwája thought it was dying of itself: he didn't see that the thief was extinguishing it.360
خواجه میپنداشت کز خود میمرد ** این نمیدید او که دزدش میکشد
The Khwája said, “This tinder was moist: on account of its wetness the star (spark) is dying at once.”
خواجه گفت این سوخته نمناک بود ** میمرد استاره از تریش زود
As there was great mirk and darkness in front (of him), he didn't see a fire-extinguisher beside him.
بس که ظلمت بود و تاریکی ز پیش ** میندید آتشکشی را پیش خویش
(So) the infidel's eye, because of (its) dimness, does not see a similar fire-extinguisher in his heart.
این چنین آتشکشی اندر دلش ** دیدهی کافر نبیند از عمش
How is the heart of any knowing person ignorant (that) with the moving (object) there is (necessarily) a mover?
چون نمیداند دل دانندهای ** هست با گردنده گردانندهای
Why don't you say (to yourself), “How should day and night come and go of themselves without a Lord?”365
چون نمیگویی که روز و شب به خود ** بیخداوندی کی آید کی رود
You are conversant with intelligibles; (but) see what a lack of intelligence is shown by you (in this matter), O despicable man!
گرد معقولات میگردی ببین ** این چنین بیعقلی خود ای مهین
Is a house more intelligible with a builder or without a builder? Answer, O man of little knowledge!
خانه با بنا بود معقولتر ** یا که بیبنا بگو ای کمهنر
Is writing more intelligible with a writer or without a writer? Think, O son!
خط با کاتب بود معقولتر ** یا که بیکاتب بیندیش ای پسر
How should the jím of the ear and the ‘ayn of the eye and the mím of the mouth be (formed) without a Writer, O suspect?
جیم گوش و عین چشم و میم فم ** چون بود بیکاتبی ای متهم
Is the bright (lighted) candle without one who lights it or with a skilful lighter?370
شمع روشن بیز گیرانندهای ** یا بگیرانندهی دانندهای
Is it more reasonable to expect good craftsmanship from the hand of one who is palsied and blind or from one who has control (of his hands) and can see?
صنعت خوب از کف شل ضریر ** باشد اولی یا بگیرایی بصیر
Since, therefore, you have apprehended (the fact) that He (God) will overpower you and beat the mace of tribulation on your head,
پس چو دانستی که قهرت میکند ** بر سرت دبوس محنت میزند
Like a Nimrod, repel Him by war (if you can)! Launch an arrow of (hard) poplar-wood into the air against Him!
پس بکن دفعش چو نمرودی به جنگ ** سوی او کش در هوا تیری خدنگ
Like the Mongol soldiery, shoot an arrow at Heaven to prevent your soul being torn (from your body)!
همچو اسپاه مغل بر آسمان ** تیر میانداز دفع نزع جان
Or flee from Him, if you can, and go (your way); (but) how can you go, since you are a pawn in His hand?375
یا گریز از وی اگر توانی برو ** چون روی چون در کف اویی گرو
(When) you were in non-existence, you did not escape from His hand: how will you escape from His hand (now), O helpless one?
در عدم بودی نرستی از کفش ** از کف او چون رهی ای دستخوش
To seek (one's own) desire is to flee (from God) and shed the blood of piety in the presence of His justice.
آرزو جستن بود بگریختن ** پیش عدلش خون تقوی ریختن
This world is a trap, and desire is its bait: flee from the traps, quickly turn your face (towards God).
این جهان دامست و دانهآرزو ** در گریز از دامها روی آر زو