اندرین کون و فساد ای اوستاد ** آن دغل کون و نصیحت آن فساد
In this (realm of) existence and corruption, O master, existence is the fraud and that corruption is the admonition.
کون می‌گوید بیا من خوش‌پیم ** وآن فسادش گفته رو من لا شی‌ام1595
Existence says, “Come, I am delectable,” and its corruption says, “Go, I am nothing.”
ای ز خوبی بهاران لب گزان ** بنگر آن سردی و زردی خزان
O thou that bitest thy lip (in admiration) at the beauty of spring, look on the coldness and paleness of autumn.
روز دیدی طلعت خورشید خوب ** مرگ او را یاد کن وقت غروب
In the daytime thou didst deem the countenance of the sun beauteous: remember its death in the moment of setting.
بدر را دیدی برین خوش چار طاق ** حسرتش را هم ببین اندر محاق
Thou sawest the full-moon on this lovely firmament: observe also its anguish (caused by the loss of visibility) during the interlunar period.
کودکی از حسن شد مولای خلق ** بعد فردا شد خرف رسوای خلق
A boy, on account of his beauty, became the lord of the people: after the morrow he became doting and exposed to the scorn of the people.
گر تن سیمین‌تنان کردت شکار ** بعد پیری بین تنی چون پنبه‌زار1600
If the body of those in the fresh bloom of youth has made thee a prey, after (it has come to) old age behold a body (bleached) like a cotton plantation.
ای بدیده لوتهای چرب خیز ** فضله‌ی آن را ببین در آب‌ریز
O thou who hast seen rich viands, arise and see the residue thereof in the latrine.
مر خبث را گو که آن خوبیت کو ** بر طبق آن ذوق و آن نغزی و بو
Say to the filth, “Where is that beauty of thine—the savour and goodliness and (sweet) scent (which thou hadst) in the dish?”
گوید او آن دانه بد من دام آن ** چون شدی تو صید شد دانه نهان
It replies, “That (beauty) was the bait: I was its trap: since thou hast fallen a prey (to it), the bait has become hidden.”