چون شکاری می‌نمایدشان ز دور ** جمله حمله می‌فزایند آن طیور
When an object of chase appears to them from afar, all those birds (the perceptions) increase (the speed of) their onset.
چونک ناپیدا شود حیران شوند ** همچو جغدان سوی هر ویران شوند
When it vanishes from sight, they become lost: like owls, they go to every wilderness,
منتظر چشمی به هم یک چشم باز ** تا که پیدا گردد آن صید به ناز
Waiting, with one eye closed and one eye open, that the delectable prey may appear.
چون بماند دیر گویند از ملال ** صید بود آن خود عجب یا خود خیال
When it tarries long, they say (from weariness), “We wonder whether it was a (real) prey or a phantom.”
مصلحت آنست تا یک ساعتی ** قوتی گیرند و زور از راحتی3730
The right course is that, for a short while, they should gather come strength and vigour by (taking) a rest.
گر نبودی شب همه خلقان ز آز ** خویشتن را سوختندی ز اهتزاز
If there were no night, on account of cupidity all people would consume themselves by the agitation (of pursuit).
از هوس وز حرص سود اندوختن ** هر کسی دادی بدن را سوختن
From desire and greed of amassing gain, every one would give his body to be consumed.
شب پدید آید چو گنج رحمتی ** تا رهند ازحرص خود یکساعتی
Night appears, like a treasure of mercy, that they may be delivered from their greed for a short while.
چونک قبضی آیدت ای راه‌رو ** آن صلاح تست آتش دل مشو
When a feeling of (spiritual) contraction comes over you, O traveller, ’tis (for) your good: do not become afire (with grief) in your heart,
زآنک در خرجی در آن بسط و گشاد ** خرج را دخلی بباید زاعتداد3735
For in that (contrary state of) expansion and delight you are spending: the expenditure (of enthusiasm) requires an income of (painful) preparation (to balance it).