English    Türkçe    فارسی   

1
1136-1185

  • Know that form springs from spirit (reality) as the lion from the jungle, or as voice and speech from thought.
  • This speech and voice arose from thought; thou knowest not where is the sea of thought,
  • But since thou hast seen that the waves of speech are fair, thou knowest that their sea also is noble.
  • When the waves of thought sped on from (the sea of) Wisdom, it (Wisdom) made (for them) the form of speech and voice.
  • The form was born of the Word and died again, the wave drew itself back into the sea. 1140
  • The form came forth from Formlessness and went back (thither), for Verily unto Him are we returning.
  • Every instant, then, thou art dying and returning: Mustafá declared that this world is (but) a moment.
  • Our thought is an arrow (shot) from Him (Hú) into the air (hawá): how should it stay in the air? It comes (back) to God.
  • Every moment the world is renewed, and we are unaware of its being renewed whilst it remains (the same in appearance).
  • Life is ever arriving anew, like the stream, though in the body it has the semblance of continuity. 1145
  • From its swiftness it appears continuous, like the spark which thou whirlest rapidly with thy hand.
  • If thou whirl a firebrand with dexterity, it appears to the sight as a very long (line of) fire.
  • The swift motion produced by the action of God presents this length of duration (Time) as (a phenomenon arising) from the rapidity of Divine action.
  • Even if the seeker of this mystery is an exceedingly learned man, (say to him), “Lo, Husámu’ddín, who is a sublime book (where you will find the mystery revealed).”
  • The hare's coming to the lion and the lion's anger with him.
  • The lion, incensed and wrathful and frantic, saw the hare coming from afar, 1150
  • Running undismayed and confidently, looking angry and fierce and fell and sour,
  • For by coming humbly (he thought) suspicion would be (excited), while by boldness every cause of doubt would be removed.
  • When he came further on, near to the “shoe-row,” the lion shouted—“Ha, villain!
  • I who have torn elephants limb from limb, I who have rubbed the ear of (chastised and vanquished) the ferocious lion—
  • Who (what) is a half-witted (feeble) hare, that he should thus throw on the ground (disregard) my behest?” 1155
  • Abandon the hare's sleep of heedlessness! Give ear, O donkey, to the roaring of this lion!
  • The hare's apology.
  • “Mercy!” cried the hare, “I have an excuse, if thy Lordship's pardon come to my aid.”
  • “What excuse?” said he. “Oh, the shortsightedness of fools! Is this the time for them to come into the presence of kings?
  • Thou art an untimely bird: thy head must be cut off. One ought not to hear the excuse of a fool.
  • The fool's excuse is worse than his crime; the excuse of the ignorant is the poison of every knowledge. 1160
  • Thy excuse, O hare, is devoid of wisdom: what hare am I that thou shouldst put it in my ear?”
  • “O king,” he replied, “account a worthless one to be worthy: hearken to the excuse of one who has suffered oppression.
  • In particular, as an alms (thank-offering) for thy high estate, do not drive out of thy way one whose way is lost.
  • The ocean, which gives some water to every stream, lays on its head and face (surface) every piece of rubbish.
  • By this bounty the sea will not become less: the sea is neither increased nor diminished by its bounty.” 1165
  • The lion said, “I will bestow bounty in its (proper) place, I will cut every one's clothes according to his stature.”
  • “Listen,” cried the hare, “if I am not a fit object for (thy) grace, I lay my head before the dragon of (thy) violence.
  • At breakfast-time I set out on the way, I came towards the king with my comrade.
  • That party (of beasts) had appointed, for thy sake, another hare to go along with me as consort and companion.
  • On the road a lion attacked thy humble slave, attacked both the companions in travel who were coming (to thee). 1170
  • I said to him, ‘We are the slaves of the King of kings, the lowly fellow-servants of that (exalted) court.’
  • He said, ‘The King of kings! Who is he? Be ashamed! Do not make mention of every base loon in my presence.
  • Both thee and thy king I will tear to pieces, if thou and thy friend turn back from my door.’
  • I said to him, ‘Let me behold once more the face of the king and bear the news of thee (to him).’
  • He said, ‘Place thy comrade with me (in my keeping) as a pledge; otherwise, thou art a sacrifice (thy life is forfeit) according to my law.’ 1175
  • We entreated him much: it was no use. He seized my friend and left me to go alone.
  • My friend, from his plumpness, made two of me both in comeliness and beauty and (size of) body.
  • Henceforth this road is barred by that lion: this is what happened to me, and it has been told to thee (just as it happened).
  • Cut off (abandon) hope of the allowance henceforth; I am telling thee the truth, and truth is bitter.
  • If thou want the allowance, clear the way! hey, come on and repel that irreverent one!” 1180
  • How the lion answered the hare and set off with him.
  • “Come on in God's name,” said he, “let me see where he is! Go thou in front, if thou art speaking truth,
  • That I may give him and a hundred like him the punishment they deserve, or if this is a lie, that I may give thy deserts to thee.”
  • The hare set out on the way, (going) in front like a guide, that he might lead him towards his snare,
  • Towards the well which he had designated: he had made the deep well a snare for his (the lion's) life.
  • (Thus) were these twain going till (they arrived) near the well. Look, you, (this was) a hare (deceitful) as a (pool of) water (hidden) under straw. 1185