(From) the hidden chain of fore-ordainment and destiny, which none but the elect spirit may behold.
بند تقدیر و قضای مختفی ** کی نبیند آن بجز جان صفی
Though it is not visible, it is (there) in ambush; it is worse that prison and chains of iron,1660
گرچه پیدا نیست آن در مکمنست ** بتر از زندان و بند آهنست
Because that (iron chain) the ironsmith may break, and the excavator may even dig up the bricks (foundations) of the prison;
زانک آهنگر مر آن را بشکند ** حفره گر هم خشت زندان بر کند
(But), O wonder, this heavy hidden chain the ironsmiths are powerless to shatter.
ای عجب این بند پنهان گران ** عاجز از تکسیر آن آهنگران
Vision of that chain (of Destiny) belongs to Ahmad (Mohammed): (he saw it) on the throat bound with a cord of palm-fibres.
دیدن آن بند احمد را رسد ** بر گلوی بسته حبل من مسد
He saw a load of firewood on the back of Abu Lahab’s wife and said,the carrier of faggots(for Hell-fire).
دید بر پشت عیال بولهب ** تنگ هیزم گفت حماله‌ی حطب
The cord and the firewood no eye beheld but his, for to him every unseen thing becomes visible.1665
حبل و هیزم را جز او چشمی ندید ** که پدید آید برو هر ناپدید
All the rest interpret it (falsely), for this (vision) arises from senselessness (spiritual rapture), and they are sensible-
باقیانش جمله تاویلی کنند ** کین ز بیهوشیست و ایشان هوشمند
But from the effect of that (chain) his (the sufferer’s) back has been bent double, and he is moaning before you,
لیک از تاثیر آن پشتش دوتو ** گشته و نالان شده او پیش تو
(And crying), ‘A prayer! A benediction !that I may be delivered and that I may escape from this hidden chain.”
که دعایی همتی تا وا رهم ** تا ازین بند نهان بیرون جهم
He who sees these signs clearly, how should not he know the damned from the blest?
آنک بیند این علامتها پدید ** چون نداند او شقی را از سعید
He knows, and by command of the Almighty he conceals (it), for it would not be lawful to divulge the secret of God.1670
داند و پوشد بامر ذوالجلال ** که نباشد کشف راز حق حلال
This discourse hath no end. That dervish, through hunger, became feeble and his body a prisoner.
این سخن پایان ندارد آن فقیر ** از مجاعت شد زبون و تن اسیر
How the dervish who had made the vow was reduced (by hunger) to plucking the pears from the tree, and how God’s chastisement came (upon him) without delay.
مضطرب شدن فقیر نذر کرده بکندن امرود از درخت و گوشمال حق رسیدن بی مهلت
For five days the wind did not cause a single pear to drop, and on account of the fire (pangs) of hunger his patience was fleeing (deserting him).
پنج روز آن باد امرودی نریخت ** ز آتش جوعش صبوری می‌گریخت
He espied several pears on a bough, (but) once more he acted with patience and restrained himself.
بر سر شاخی مرودی چند دید ** باز صبری کرد و خود را وا کشید
The wind came and lowered the end of the bough and caused his carnal nature to prevail for the eating of that (fruit).
باد آمد شاخ را سر زیر کرد ** طبع را بر خوردن آن چیر کرد
Hunger and weakness and the strength of pull and (the might of) Destiny made the ascetic unfaithful to his vow.1675
جوع و ضعف و قوت جذب و قضا ** کرد زاهد را ز نذرش بی‌وفا
When he had plucked fruit from the pear-tree, he became frail (false) in his vow and promise.