Our Kháqán (Emperor) has made a perpetual feast (for us): He is always pulling our ears (drawing us thither and saying), “Do not lose hope!”
دایما خاقان ما کردست طو ** گوشمان را می‌کشد لا تقنطوا
Although we are in the ditch (and overwhelmed) by this despair, let us go dancing along since He has invited us.
گرچه ما زین ناامیدی در گویم ** چون صلا زد دست اندازان رویم
Let us dance (along) like mettlesome horses galloping towards the familiar pasturage.
دست اندازیم چون اسپان سیس ** در دویدن سوی مرعای انیس
Let us toss our feet, though no foot is there; let us drain the cup, though no cup is there,4745
گام اندازیم و آنجا گام نی ** جام پردازیم و آنجا جام نی
Because all things there are spiritual: ’tis reality on reality on reality.
زانک آنجا جمله اشیا جانیست ** معنی اندر معنی اندر معنیست
Form is the shadow, reality is the sun: the shadowless light is (only to be found) in the ruin.
هست صورت سایه معنی آفتاب ** نور بی‌سایه بود اندر خراب
When not a brick is left (resting) on a brick there, no ugly shadow remains in the moonlight.
چونک آنجا خشت بر خشتی نماند ** نور مه را سایه‌ی زشتی نماند
(Even) if the brick be of gold it must be torn away, since (the removal of) the brick is the price paid for inspiration and light.
خشت اگر زرین بود بر کندنیست ** چون بهای خشت وحی و روشنیست
In order to remove the shadow (of materiality) the mountain (Sinai) is rased to the ground: ’tis a small matter to fall to pieces for the sake of this light.4750
کوه بهر دفع سایه مندکست ** پاره گشتن بهر این نور اندکست
When the light of the Lord struck on the surface of the mountain, it (the mountain) fell to pieces in order that it (the light) should penetrate its interior too.
بر برون که چو زد نور صمد ** پاره شد تا در درونش هم زند
As soon as a loaf of bread touches the palm of a hungry man, his eyes and mouth open wide in desire (to eat it).
گرسنه چون بر کفش زد قرص نان ** وا شکافد از هوس چشم و دهان
This (light) is worth (the price, namely) falling into a hundred thousand pieces: soar up through the (spiritual) heaven, O (thou who resemblest) earth,
صد هزاران پاره گشتن ارزد این ** از میان چرخ برخیز ای زمین
That the light of heaven may consume thy shadow: the (dark) night is caused by thy shadow, O enemy of Day.
تا که نور چرخ گردد سایه‌سوز ** شب ز سایه‌ی تست ای یاغی روز
This earth is like a cradle for babes: it cramps the movements of grownup men.4755
این زمین چون گاهواره‌ی طفلکان ** بالغان را تنگ می‌دارد مکان
On account of the babes (who live in it) God hath called the earth a cradle (mahd), and He hath bestowed milk on the babes in their cradle.
بهر طفلان حق زمین را مهد خواند ** شیر در گهواره بر طفلان فشاند
The house is crowded with these cradles: let the babes grow up quickly, O King!
خانه تنگ آمد ازین گهواره‌ها ** طفلکان را زود بالغ کن شها
O cradle, do not incommode the house (but let there be room), so that the grown-up man can move freely.
ای گواره خانه را ضیق مدار ** تا تواند کرد بالغ انتشار
(Concerning) the vicious distempered thoughts that arose in the prince in consequence of the (spiritual) self-sufficiency and illumination with which his heart had been endowed by the King: how he proceeded to show ingratitude and rebelliousness, and how the King, being made aware of it in an inspired and mysterious manner, was pained at heart and, though outwardly unconscious (of it), dealt his (the prince's) spirit a (mortal) wound, etc.
وسوسه‌ای کی پادشاه‌زاده را پیدا شد از سبب استغنایی و کشفی کی از شاه دل او را حاصل شده بود و قصد ناشکری و سرکشی می‌کرد شاه را از راه الهام و سر شاه را خبر شد دلش درد کرد روح او را زخمی زد چنانک صورت شاه را خبر نبود الی آخره
When from the inward nature of the King the (spiritual) allowance was paid over, without sale or purchase, into his (the prince's) soul,
چون مسلم گشت بی‌بیع و شری ** از درون شاه در جانش جری
His moon-like soul was feeding on the light of the King's soul as the moon (feeds) on (the light of) the sun,4760
قوت می‌خوردی ز نور جان شاه ** ماه جانش هم‌چو از خورشید ماه
And the spiritual ration from the peerless King was arriving in his intoxicated soul at every moment.
راتبه‌ی جانی ز شاه بی‌ندید ** دم به دم در جان مستش می‌رسید
’Twas not that (material food) which polytheists and Christians eat, (but) part of the (spiritual) food which the angels eat.
آن نه که ترسا و مشرک می‌خورند ** زان غذایی که ملایک می‌خورند
He felt self-sufficiency within himself, and from self-sufficiency emerged a feeling of insolent pride.