None but God was the confidant of their secret, their sighs were breathed to Heaven alone.
راز را غیر خدا محرم نبود ** آه را جز آسمان هم‌دم نبود
They were using certain mystical terms among themselves in order to convey information.
اصطلاحاتی میان هم‌دگر ** داشتندی بهر ایراد خبر
The vulgar have learned this birds' language and (by means of it) have acquired prestige and authority.4010
زین لسان الطیر عام آموختند ** طمطراق و سروری اندوختند
That terminology is (only) the image (imitation) of the bird's voice: the uninitiated man is ignorant of the (inward) state of the birds.
صورت آواز مرغست آن کلام ** غافلست از حال مرغان مرد خام
Where is the Solomon who knows the birds' song? The demon, though he seize the kingdom (of Solomon), is an alien.
کو سلیمانی که داند لحن طیر ** دیو گرچه ملک گیرد هست غیر
The demon in the likeness of Solomon stood (in Solomon's place): he knows how to deceive, but he does not possess (the knowledge denoted by the words) we have been taught.
دیو بر شبه سلیمان کرد ایست ** علم مکرش هست و علمناش نیست
Inasmuch as Solomon was rejoiced exceedingly by (the favour of) God, he had a birds' language (derived) from we have been taught.
چون سلیمان از خدا بشاش بود ** منطق الطیری ز علمناش بود
Understand that you are a bird of the (common) air because you have not beheld the esoteric birds.4015
تو از آن مرغ هوایی فهم کن ** که ندیدستی طیور من لدن
The home of the Símurghs is beyond (Mt) Qáf: it is not (like) a hand-loom (easily accessible) to any imagination,
جای سیمرغان بود آن سوی قاف ** هر خیالی را نباشد دست‌باف
But only to the imagination that beholds it by chance and then, after the vision, is parted (from it)—
جز خیالی را که دید آن اتفاق ** آنگهش بعدالعیان افتد فراق
Not a parting that involves severance, (but a parting) for a wise purpose; for that high estate is secure from every (real) parting.
نه فراق قطع بهر مصلحت ** که آمنست از هر فراق آن منقبت
In order to preserve the spiritual body the (Divine) Sun for a time withdraws (His beams) from the snow.
بهر استبقاء آن روحی جسد ** آفتاب از برف یک‌دم درکشد
Seek good for thy soul from them (who have attained unto God): beware, do not steal mystical expressions from their language.4020
بهر جان خویش جو زیشان صلاح ** هین مدزد از حرف ایشان اصطلاح
Zalíkhá had applied to Joseph the name of everything, from rue-seed to aloeswood.
آن زلیخا از سپندان تا به عود ** نام جمله چیز یوسف کرده بود
She concealed his name in (all other) names and made the inner meaning thereof known to (none but her) confidants.
نام او در نامها مکتوم کرد ** محرمان را سر آن معلوم کرد
When she said, “The wax is softened by the fire,” this meant, “My beloved is very fond of me.”
چون بگفتی موم ز آتش نرم شد ** این بدی کان یار با ما گرم شد
And if she said, “Look, the moon is risen”; or if she said, “The willow-bough is green (with new leaves)”;
ور بگفتی مه برآمد بنگرید ** ور بگفتی سبز شد آن شاخ بید
Or if she said, “The leaves are quivering mightily”; or if she said, “The rue-seed is burning merrily”;4025