مدتی این مثنوی تاخیر شد ** مهلتی بایست تا خون شیر شد
This Mathnawí has been delayed for a while: an interval was needed in order that the blood might turn to milk.
تا نزاید بخت تو فرزند نو ** خون، نگردد شیر شیرین خوش شنو
Blood does not become sweet milk until thy fortune gives birth to a new babe. Hearken well (to my words).
چون ضیاء الحق حسام الدین عنان ** باز گردانید ز اوج آسمان
When the Light of God, Husámu’ddín, drew the reins (of his spirit) back from the zenith of Heaven—
چون به معراج حقایق رفته بود ** بیبهارش غنچهها نشکفته بود
(For) after he had gone in the ascension to (spiritual) realities, without his (life-giving) springtide the buds (of mystic knowledge) were unburst (in my heart)—
چون ز دریا سوی ساحل باز گشت ** چنگ شعر مثنوی با ساز گشت5
When (I say) he returned from the Sea towards the shore, the lyre of the poesy of the Mathnawí became attuned (again).
مثنوی که صیقل ارواح بود ** باز گشتش روز استفتاح بود
The Mathnawí, which was the burnisher (purifier) of spirits —his return was the day of (my) seeking (an auspicious) commencement (for it).
مطلع تاریخ این سودا و سود ** سال اندر ششصد و شصت و دو بود
The date of beginning this gainful (spiritual) traffic was in the year six hundred and sixty-two.
بلبلی ز ینجا برفت و باز گشت ** بهر صید این معانی باز گشت
A nightingale went hence and returned: it became a falcon for hunting these spiritual truths.
ساعد شه مسکن این باز باد ** تا ابد بر خلق این در باز باد
May this falcon's resting-place be the fore-arm of the King! May this gate (to the Truth) be open to (all) the people unto everlasting!
آفت این در هوا و شهوت است ** ور نه اینجا شربت اندر شربت است10
The bane of this gate is sensuality and lust; else, draught on draught (of spiritual knowledge) is (to be found) here.