Consequently the hands and feet become swollen: that water-drinking does not defeat the thirst.”
لاجرم آماس گیرد دست و پا ** تشنگی را نشکند آن استقا
How the prophets, on whom be peace, answered them again.
باز جواب انبیا علیهم السلام ایشان را
The prophets said, “Despair is wicked: the grace and the mercies of the Creator are infinite.
انبیا گفتند نومیدی بدست ** فضل و رحمتهای باری بیحدست
’Tis not proper to despair of such a Benefactor: cling to the saddle-strap of this Mercy.
از چنین محسن نشاید ناامید ** دست در فتراک این رحمت زنید
Oh, many a plight became hard in the beginning, (but) afterwards it was relieved, and the hardship passed away.
ای بسا کارا که اول صعب گشت ** بعد از آن بگشاده شد سختی گذشت
After despair there are many hopes; after darkness there are many suns.2925
بعد نومیدی بسی اومیدهاست ** از پس ظلمت بسی خورشیدهاست
I grant indeed that ye have become stony and have put locks upon your ears and hearts;
خود گرفتم که شما سنگین شدیت ** قفلها بر گوش و بر دل بر زدیت
(But) we have naught to do with any acceptance (on your part): our business is to resign ourselves (to God) and fulfil His command.
هیچ ما را با قبولی کار نیست ** کار ما تسلیم و فرمان کردنیست
He hath commanded us (to perform) this service: we have not this office of proclaimer (prophetship) from ourselves.
او بفرمودستمان این بندگی ** نیست ما را از خود این گویندگی
We possess life (only) for the purpose of (executing) the command of God: if He bid us (sow) in a tract of sand, we sow.
جان برای امر او داریم ما ** گر به ریگی گوید او کاریم ما
The prophet's soul hath no friend except God: he hath naught to do with the acceptance or rejection of (his message by) the people.2930
غیر حق جان نبی را یار نیست ** با قبول و رد خلقش کار نیست
The reward for delivering His messages comes from Him (God): we have become hateful and wear the aspect of enemies (to the people) for the Beloved's sake.
مزد تبلیغ رسالاتش ازوست ** زشت و دشمنرو شدیم از بهر دوست
At this (Divine) Portal we are not weary, so that we should halt everywhere because of the distance of the way.
ما برین درگه ملولان نیستیم ** تا ز بعد راه هر جا بیستیم
Oppressed in heart and weary is that one (alone) who is in prison through being parted from the Friend.
دل فرو بسته و ملول آنکس بود ** کز فراق یار در محبس بود
The Heart-ravisher and Desired One is present with us: amidst the largesse of His mercy our souls are giving thanks.
دلبر و مطلوب با ما حاضرست ** در نثار رحمتش جان شاکرست
In our hearts is an anemone-field and rose-garden: there is no way (of entrance) for old age and decay;2935
در دل ما لالهزار و گلشنیست ** پیری و پژمردگی را راه نیست
We are ever fresh and young and gracious, unfaded and sweet and laughing and debonair.
دایما تر و جوانیم و لطیف ** تازه و شیرین و خندان و ظریف
To us a hundred years are the same as a single hour, for long and short (time) is a thing disjoined from us.
پیش ما صد سال و یکساعت یکیست ** که دراز و کوته از ما منفکیست
That length and shortness is in bodies (alone): where is that long and short in the soul?
آن دراز و کوتهی در جسمهاست ** آن دراز و کوته اندر جان کجاست
The three hundred and nine years of the Men of the Cave seemed to them one day (that passed) without grief and woe;
سیصد و نه سال آن اصحاب کهف ** پیششان یک روز بی اندوه و لهف
And (only) then did it seem to them one day even, when their spirits came back from non-existence into their bodies.2940
وانگهی بنمودشان یک روز هم ** که به تن باز آمد ارواح از عدم
When there is no day and night and month and year, how should there be satiety and old age and weariness?
چون نباشد روز و شب یا ماه و سال ** کی بود سیری و پیری و ملال
Since there is (for us) selflessness in the rose-garden of non-existence, there is (for us) intoxication caused by the goblet of Divine grace.
در گلستان عدم چون بیخودیست ** مستی از سغراق لطف ایزدیست
Any one that has not drunk (thereof is in the same case as those to whom the saying, ‘Whoso) has not tasted does not know’ (is applicable): how should the dung-beetle conceive the (fragrant) breaths of the rose?
لم یذق لم یدر هر کس کو نخورد ** کی بوهم آرد جعل انفاس ورد
It is not conceivable: if it were conceivable, it would become non-existent, like (all) objects of conception.
نیست موهوم ار بدی موهوم آن ** همچو موهومان شدی معدوم آن
How should Hell conceive Paradise? Does a beauteous face shine (forth) at all from an ugly pig?2945
دوزخ اندر وهم چون آرد بهشت ** هیچ تابد روی خوب از خوک زشت