چشم این زندانیان هر دم به در ** کی بدی گر نیستی کس مژده‌ور
How should the eyes of these prisoners (of the world) be always (fixed) on (what lies) beyond, if there were no bringer of the good news (of deliverance)?
صد هزار آلودگان آب‌جو ** کی بدندی گر نبودی آب جو
How should there be a hundred thousand befouled ones seeking water, if there were no water in the river?
بر زمین پهلوت را آرام نیست ** دان که در خانه لحاف و بستریست2045
(If) there is no rest for thy side upon the earth, (yet) know that there is a coverlet and mattress at home.
بی‌مقرگاهی نباشد بی‌قرار ** بی‌خمار اشکن نباشد این خمار
Without (there being) a resting-place there would not be the restless (seeker); without (there being) that which takes away the headache of intoxication, there would not be this headache.
گفت نه نه یا رسول الله مکن ** سرور لشکر مگر شیخ کهن
He (the objector) said, “Nay, nay, O Messenger of God, do not appoint any but an old Shaykh to be chief of the army.
یا رسول الله جوان ار شیرزاد ** غیر مرد پیر سر لشکر مباد
O Messenger of God, (even) if the youth is lion-born (heroic), may none but an old man be head of the army!
هم تو گفتستی و گفت تو گوا ** پیر باید پیر باید پیشوا
Thou too hast said, and thy word is (a true) witness, ‘The leader must be old, must be old.’
یا رسول‌الله درین لشکر نگر ** هست چندین پیر و از وی پیشتر2050
O Messenger of God, look on this army, (in which) there are so many elders and (persons) superior to him.”
زین درخت آن برگ زردش را مبین ** سیبهای پخته‌ی او را بچین
Do not regard the yellow leaves of this tree, (but) pick its ripe apples.
برگهای زرد او خود کی تهیست ** این نشان پختگی و کاملیست
How, in sooth, are its yellow leaves void (of worth)? This is the sign of maturity and perfection.