All this conditionality is tossing like foam on the surface of the unconditioned Sea.
این همه چون و چگونه چون زبد ** بر سر دریای بی‌چون می‌طپد
In its (the Sea’s) essence and action there is neither opposite nor like: by it (alone) are (all) existences clothed in robes (of existence).
ضد و ندش نیست در ذات و عمل ** زان بپوشیدند هستیها حلل
How should an opposite bestow being and existence on its opposite? Nay, it flees and escapes from it.
ضد ضد را بود و هستی کی دهد ** بلک ازو بگریزد و بیرون جهد
What is (the meaning of) nidd? The like (mithl) of (something) good or bad. How should a like make its own like?1620
ند چه بود مثل مثل نیک و بد ** مثل مثل خویشتن را کی کند
When there are two likes, O God-fearing man, why should this one be more fit than that one for (the purpose of) creating?
چونک دو مثل آمدند ای متقی ** این چه اولیتر از آن در خالقی
Opposites and likes, in number as the leaves of the orchard, are (but) as a flake of foam on the Sea that hath no like or opposite.
بر شمار برگ بستان ند و ضد ** چون کفی بر بحر بی‌ضدست و ند
Perceive that the victory and defeat of the Sea are unconditioned: how, (then), should there be room for conditionality in the essence of the Sea?
بی‌چگونه بین تو برد و مات بحر ** چون چگونه گنجد اندر ذات بحر
Your soul is the least of its playthings; (yet) how can the quality and description of the soul be ascertained?
کمترین لعبت او جان تست ** این چگونه و چون جان کی شد درست
Such a Sea, then, with every drop whereof the intellect and the spirit are more unfamiliar than the body—1625
پس چنان بحری که در هر قطر آن ** از بدن ناشی‌تر آمد عقل و جان
How should it be contained in the narrow room of quantity and quality? There (even) Universal Reason is one of the ignorant.
کی بگنجد در مضیق چند و چون ** عقل کل آنجاست از لا یعلمون
Reason says to the body, ‘O lifeless thing, hast thou ever had a scent of the Sea whither all return?’
عقل گوید مر جسد را که ای جماد ** بوی بردی هیچ از آن بحر معاد
The body replies, ‘Assuredly I am thy shadow: who would seek help from a shadow, O soul of thy uncle?’
جسم گوید من یقین سایه‌ی توم ** یاری از سایه که جوید جان عم
Reason says, ‘This is the house of bewilderment, not a house where the worthy is bolder than the unworthy.’
عقل گوید کین نه آن حیرت سراست ** که سزا گستاخ‌تر از ناسزاست
Here the resplendent sun pays homage to the mote, like a menial.1630
اندرینجا آفتاب انوری ** خدمت ذره کند چون چاکری
In this quarter the lion lays his head (in submission) before the deer; here the falcon lays (droops) his wings before the partridge.
شیر این سو پیش آهو سر نهد ** باز اینجا نزد تیهو پر نهد
(If) you cannot believe this, (then) how is it that Mustafá (Mohammed) seeks a blessing from the lowly poor?
این ترا باور نیاید مصطفی ** چون ز مسکینان همی‌جوید دعا
If you reply that it was for the purpose of teaching (his followers) in what respect was his leaving them in absolute ignorance (of the reason for his action) a means of causing them to understand?
گر بگویی از پی تعلیم بود ** عین تجهیل از چه رو تفهیم بود
Nay, but he knows that the King deposits the royal treasure in ruined places.
بلک می‌داند که گنج شاهوار ** در خرابیها نهد آن شهریار
Evil thought (about the saint) are (due to) his presenting an appearance contrary to the reality, though (in fact) every part of him is his spy (informing him of Divine mysteries).1635
بدگمانی نعل معکوس ویست ** گرچه هر جزویش جاسوس ویست
Nay, the Truth is absorbed in the Truth; hence seventy, nay, a hundred sects have arisen.
بل حقیقت در حقیقت غرقه شد ** زین سبب هفتاد بل صد فرقه شد
(Now) I will talk to you of maters indifferent. Hark, O Súfí, open your spiritual ear very wide
با تو قلماشیت خواهم گفت هان ** صوفیا خوش پهن بگشا گوش جان
Whatever blow may come to you from Heaven, always be expecting (to receive) a gift of honour after it;
مر ترا هم زخم که آید ز آسمان ** منتظر می‌باش خلعت بعد آن
For He is not the king to slap you and then not give you a crown and a throne on which to recline.
کو نه آن شاهست کت سیلی زند ** پس نبخشد تاج و تخت مستند
The whole world has (but) the value of a gnat’s wing; (but) for one slap there is an infinite reward.1640
جمله دنیا را پر پشه بها ** سیلیی را رشوت بی‌منتها
Nimbly slip your neck out of this golden collar, (which is) the world, and take the slaps (that come) from God.
گردنت زین طوق زرین جهان ** چست در دزد و ز حق سیلی ستان
Since the prophets suffered those blows on the nape, in consequence of that affliction they have lifted their heads (high).
آن قفاها که انبیا برداشتند ** زان بلا سرهای خود افراشتند
But (always) be present (attentive and ready) in yourself O youth, in order that He may find you at home.
لیک حاضر باش در خود ای فتی ** تا به خانه او بیابد مر ترا
Else He will take back His gift of honour, saying, ‘I found nobody in the house.’”
ورنه خلعت را برد او باز پس ** که نیابیدم به خانه‌ش هیچ کس
How the Súfi again questioned the Cadi.
باز سال کردن صوفی از آن قاضی
The Súfi said, “How would it be if this world were to unknit the eyebrow of mercy for evermore!1645
گفت صوفی که چه بودی کین جهان ** ابروی رحمت گشادی جاودان
If it were not to bring on some trouble at every moment and produce anguish by its (incessant) changes!
هر دمی شوری نیاوردی به پیش ** بر نیاوردی ز تلوینهاش نیش
If Night were not to steal the lamp of Day, and if December were not to sweep away the orchard that has learned to delight (in its fresh beauty)!
شب ندزدیدی چراغ روز را ** دی نبردی باغ عیش آموز را
If there were no stone of fever to shatter the cup of health, and if fear did not bring anxieties for (one’s) safety!
جام صحت را نبودی سنگ تب ** آمنی با خوف ناوردی کرب
How, indeed, would His munificence and mercy be diminished if in His bounty there were no torment?”
خود چه کم گشتی ز جود و رحمتش ** گر نبودی خرخشه در نعمتش
The Cadi's answer to the questions of the Súfí, and how he adduced the Story of the Turk and the Tailor as a parable.
جواب قاضی سال صوفی را و قصه‌ی ترک و درزی را مثل آوردن
The Cadi said, “You are a very idle vagabond Súfí: you are devoid of intelligence, (you are) like the Kúfic káf.1650
Haven't you heard that a certain sugar-lipped (story-teller) used to tell at nightfall of the perfidy of tailors,
تو بنشنیدی که آن پر قند لب ** غدر خیاطان همی‌گفتی به شب
Setting forth to the people old stories concerning the thievery of that class (of men)?
خلق را در دزدی آن طایفه ** می‌نمود افسانه‌های سالفه
To that one and this one he would relate tales of their snatching (stealing) pieces of cloth while cutting it,
قصه‌ی پاره‌ربایی در برین ** می حکایت کرد او با آن و این
And during the night-talk he would read aloud a book on (the tricks of) tailors, when a throng had gathered round him.
در سمر می‌خواند دزدی‌نامه‌ای ** گرد او جمع آمده هنگامه‌ای
Since he found eager listeners among those who came (to hear him), all parts of him had become the story (that he was telling).1655
مستمع چون یافت جاذب زان وفود ** جمله اجزااش حکایت گشته بود
The Prophet, on whom be peace, said, ‘Verily God teaches wisdom by the tongues of the preachers according to the measure of the aspirations of those who hear them.’
قال النبی علیه السلام ان الله تعالی یلقن الحکمة علی لسان الواعظین بقدر همم المستمعین
If any one have suave eloquence, hearing draws it out: the teacher's enthusiasm and energy are (derived) from the boy (whom he teaches).
جذب سمعست ار کسی را خوش لبیست ** گرمی و جد معلم از صبیست
When the harpist who plays the four-and-twenty (musical modes) finds no ear (to listen), his harp becomes a burden;
چنگیی را کو نوازد بیست و چار ** چون نیابد گوش گردد چنگ بار
Neither ditty nor ode comes into his memory: his ten fingers will not get to work.
نه حراره یادش آید نه غزل ** نه ده انگشتش بجنبد در عمل
If there were no ears to receive (the message from) the Unseen, no announcer (prophet) would have brought a Revelation from Heaven;