چون که نامحرم در آید از درم ** پرده در پنهان شوند اهل حرم
When a stranger comes in at my door, the women of the harem hide themselves in the veil,
ور در آید محرمی دور از گزند ** بر گشایند آن ستیران روی‌‌بند
But if a harmless relative should come in, those covered ones will lift up their face-veils.
هر چه را خوب و خوش و زیبا کنند ** از برای دیده‌‌ی بینا کنند
Everything that is made beautiful and fair and lovely is made (so) for the eye of him that sees.
کی بود آواز چنگ و زیر و بم ** از برای گوش بی‌‌حس اصم
How should the sound of the harp and treble and bass be (made) for the insentient ear of one who is deaf?
مشک را بی‌‌هوده حق خوش دم نکرد ** بهر حس کرد او پی اخشم نکرد2385
Not in vain did God make musk fragrant: He made it (so) for the sense (of smell), He did not make it for one whose nostrils are stopped (by disease).
حق زمین و آسمان بر ساخته ست ** در میان بس نار و نور افراخته ست
God hath fashioned the earth and the sky, He hath raised in the midst much fire and light.
این زمین را از برای خاکیان ** آسمان را مسکن افلاکیان
(He made) this earth for those (created) of clay, (He made) heaven to be the abode of the celestials.
مرد سفلی دشمن بالا بود ** مشتری هر مکان پیدا بود
The low (base) man is the enemy of what is high: the purchaser (seeker) of each place (Heaven or Hell) is manifest (made known by his actions).
ای ستیره هیچ تو برخاستی ** خویشتن را بهر کور آراستی
O chaste woman, hast thou ever risen up and decked thyself for the sake of him that is blind?
گر جهان را پر در مکنون کنم ** روزی تو چون نباشد چون کنم2390
If I should fill the world with hidden pearls (of wisdom), how should I fare (what good would it do me), since they are not thy portion (since thou art unfit to receive them)?