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.”
بس انامل رشک استادان شده ** در صناعت عاقبت لرزان شده
Many fingers that in handicraft (skill and dexterity) were the envy of master craftsmen have at last become trembling.
نرگس چشم خمار هم‌چو جان ** آخر اعمش بین و آب از وی چکان1605
The soul-like intoxicating narcissus-eye (of the beloved)—see it dimmed at last and water trickling from it.
حیدری کاندر صف شیران رود ** آخر او مغلوب موشی می‌شود
The lion (hero) who advances into the ranks of lions (valiant foes)—at last he is conquered by a mouse.