او عوان را در دعا در می‌کشید ** کز عوان او را چنان راحت رسید
He (the lover) was bringing the policeman into the prayer (of benediction), because such solace had come to him from the policeman.
بر همه زهر و برو تریاق بود ** آن عوان پیوند آن مشتاق بود
He (the policeman) was poison to all (others), but to him (he was) the antidote: the policeman was the means of uniting that longing lover (with the object of his desire).
پس بد مطلق نباشد در جهان ** بد به نسبت باشد این را هم بدان65
Hence there is no absolute evil in the world: evil is relative. Know this (truth) also.
در زمانه هیچ زهر و قند نیست ** که یکی را پا دگر را بند نیست
In (the realm of) Time there is no poison or sugar that is not a foot (support) to one and a fetter (injury) to another—
مر یکی را پا دگر را پای‌بند ** مر یکی را زهر و بر دیگر چو قند
To one a foot, to another a fetter; to one a poison and to another (sweet and wholesome) like sugar.
زهر مار آن مار را باشد حیات ** نسبتش با آدمی باشد ممات
Snake-poison is life to the snake, (but) it is death in relation to man.
خلق آبی را بود دریا چو باغ ** خلق خاکی را بود آن مرگ و داغ
The sea is as a garden to the water-creatures; to the creatures of earth it is death and a (painful) brand.
همچنین بر می‌شمر ای مرد کار ** نسبت این از یکی کس تا هزار70
Reckon up likewise, O man of experience, (instances of) this relativity from a single individual to a thousand.
زید اندر حق آن شیطان بود ** در حق شخصی دگر سلطان بود
Zayd, in regard to that (particular) one, may be a devil, (but) in regard to another person he may be a (beneficent) sultan.