هر یک از ره این نشانها ز آن دهند ** تا گمان آید که ایشان ز آن دهاند
Each one (of them) gives these indications of the Way, in order that it may be supposed that they belong to that Village.
این حقیقت دان نه حقاند این همه ** نی بکلی گمرهانند این رمه
Know the truth to be this, (that) all these (various persons) are not in the right; nor (again) are this herd entirely astray,
ز انکه بیحق باطلی ناید پدید ** قلب را ابله به بوی زر خرید
Because nothing false is shown without the True: the fool bought (desired) spurious coin in the hope of (its being) gold.
گر نبودی در جهان نقدی روان ** قلبها را خرج کردن کی توان
If there were no current (genuine) coin in the world, how would it be possible to issue false coins?
تا نباشد راست کی باشد دروغ ** آن دروغ از راست میگیرد فروغ2930
Unless there be truth, how should there be falsehood? That falsehood receives brilliance (prestige and reputation) from truth.
بر امید راست کژ را میخرند ** زهر در قندی رود آن گه خورند
They buy (desire) the wrong in hope of (its being) the right: (if) poison go into a piece of sugar, then (and then only) they eat (poison).
گر نباشد گندم محبوب نوش ** چه برد گندمنمای جو فروش
If there be no savoury wheat, what shall he get who sells barley, pretending that it is wheat?
پس مگو کاین جمله دمها باطلند ** باطلان بر بوی حق دام دلند
Do not say, then, that all these utterances are false: the false (pretenders) are a snare to the heart on the ground of (because they give) hope of truth.
پس مگو جمله خیال است و ضلال ** بیحقیقت نیست در عالم خیال
Do not say, then, that all (this) is phantasy and error: without truth phantasy exists not in the world.
حق شب قدر است در شبها نهان ** تا کند جان هر شبی را امتحان2935
Truth is the Night of Power (which is) hidden amidst the (other) nights in order that the soul may make trial of every night.