That standing and kneeling and bowing low on the part of the trees seemed to me very marvellous.2050
آن قیام و آن رکوع و آن سجود ** از درختان بس شگفتم مینمود
Then I called to mind the word of God: He said, concerning the stalkless plants and the trees, ‘they bow down.’
یاد کردم قول حق را آن زمان ** گفت النجم و شجر را یسجدان
Those trees had neither knee nor waist: what (a marvel) is such a regulation (regular performance) of the ritual prayer (in their case)!
این درختان را نه زانو نه میان ** این چه ترتیب نمازست آنچنان
The Divine inspiration came (upon me), saying, ‘O illustrious one, art thou still wondering at Our action?’
آمد الهام خدا کای با فروز ** می عجب داری ز کار ما هنوز
How the seven trees became seven men.
هفت مرد شدن آن هفت درخت
After a long while those (trees) became seven men, all seated (in contemplation) for the sake of God who is single.
بعد دیری گشت آنها هفت مرد ** جمله در قعده پی یزدان فرد
I keep rubbing my eyes (and wondering) who are those seven heroes and what they have of this world.2055
چشم میمالم که آن هفت ارسلان ** تا کیانند و چه دارند از جهان
When by (traversing) the road I came near (to them), I saluted them alertly.
چون به نزدیکی رسیدم من ز راه ** کردم ایشان را سلام از انتباه
The company (the seven men) answered that salutation, saying, ‘O Daqúqí, glory and crown of the noble!’
قوم گفتندم جواب آن سلام ** ای دقوقی مفخر و تاج کرام
‘Why,’ said I (to myself), ‘how did they recognise me? They never set eyes on me before this (moment).’
گفتم آخر چون مرا بشناختند ** پیش ازین بر من نظر ننداختند
At once they knew of my unspoken thought, and looked covertly at one another,
از ضمیر من بدانستند زود ** یکدگر را بنگریدند از فرود
And smilingly answered, ‘O honoured one, is this hidden from thee even now?2060
پاسخم دادند خندان کای عزیز ** این بپوشیدست اکنون بر تو نیز
How should the mystery of left and right be hidden from the heart that is in (the state of) bewilderment with God?’
بر دلی کو در تحیر با خداست ** کی شود پوشیده راز چپ و راست
I said (to myself), ‘If they are open to (in communication with) the (spiritual) realities, (yet) how are they acquainted with names (consisting) of letters attached to the form (of words)?’
گفتم ار سوی حقایق بشکفند ** چون ز اسم حرف رسمی واقفند
He (one of the seven men) said, ‘If a name vanish from (the consciousness of) a saint, know that that is (the result arising) from (his) absorption (in God), not from ignorance.’
گفت اگر اسمی شود غیب از ولی ** آن ز استغراق دان نه از جاهلی
Afterwards they said, ‘We desire to follow thy leadership (in prayer), O holy friend.’
بعد از آن گفتند ما را آرزوست ** اقتدا کردن به تو ای پاک دوست
‘Yes,’ said I, ‘but (wait) awhile—for I have certain difficulties (derived) from the revolution of Time—2065
گفتم آری لیک یک ساعت که من ** مشکلاتی دارم از دور زمن
In order that they may be solved by means of holy companionships; for through companionship a grape grows from the earth.
تا شود آن حل به صحبتهای پاک ** که به صحبت روید انگوری ز خاک
A kernelly seed graciously consorted in solitary intercourse with the dark earth;
دانهی پرمغز با خاک دژم ** خلوتی و صحبتی کرد از کرم
It effaced itself entirely in the earth, so that no colour or scent or red or yellow (hue) remained to it.
خویشتن در خاک کلی محو کرد ** تا نماندش رنگ و بو و سرخ و زرد
After that effacement its constriction ceased: it opened its wings and expanded and sped on its way.
از پس آن محو قبض او نماند ** پرگشاد و بسط شد مرکب براند
Inasmuch as it became selfless in the presence of its origin, the form departed (from it) and its real essence was displayed.’2070
پیش اصل خویش چون بیخویش شد ** رفت صورت جلوهی معنیش شد
They nodded so (as though saying), ‘Hark, ’tis for thee to command,’ and from their nodding so a flame arose in my heart.
سر چنین کردند هین فرمان تراست ** تف دل از سر چنین کردن بخاست
When for a while I had taken part with that elect company in contemplation (of God) and had been separated from myself,
ساعتی با آن گروه مجتبی ** چون مراقب گشتم و از خود جدا
At that very hour my spirit was freed from hours (of Time); (I say ‘freed’) because hours make the young old.”
هم در آن ساعت ز ساعت رست جان ** زانک ساعت پیر گرداند جوان
All changes have arisen from the hours: he that is freed from the hours is freed from change.
جمله تلوینها ز ساعت خاستست ** رست از تلوین که از ساعت برست