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این جهان شهوتی بتخانه‌ایست ** انبیا و کافران را لانه‌ایست
- This world, (which is) associated with lust, is an idol-temple: it is a nest (abode) for the prophets and the infidels (alike),
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لیک شهوت بنده‌ی پاکان بود ** زر نسوزد زانک نقد کان بود
- But lust is the slave of holy men: gold does not burn (in the fire), because it is sterling coin from the mine.
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کافران قلب‌اند و پاکان هم‌چو زر ** اندرین بوته درند این دو نفر 820
- The infidels are alloy, while the holy men are as (pure) gold: both these (classes of) persons are within this crucible.
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قلب چون آمد سیه شد در زمان ** زر در آمد شد زری او عیان
- When the alloy came (into the crucible), it became black at once; (when) the gold came in, its goldenness was made manifest.
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دست و پا انداخت زر در بوته خوش ** در رخ آتش همی خندد رگش
- The gold gladly cast (itself with) hands and feet into the crucible: its vein (original nature) laughs in the face of the fire.
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جسم ما روپوش ما شد در جهان ** ما چو دریا زیر این که در نهان
- Our body is our veil in the world: we are like a sea hidden beneath this straw.
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شاه دین را منگر ای نادان بطین ** کین نظر کردست ابلیس لعین
- O fool, do not regard the king of the (true) Religion as clay; for the accursed Iblís took this view (of Adam).
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کی توان اندود این خورشید را ** با کف گل تو بگو آخر مرا 825
- How is it possible to daub this sun with a handful of earth? Pray, tell me (that)!
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گر بریزی خاک و صد خاکسترش ** بر سر نور او برآید بر سرش
- Though you pour earth and a hundred ashes over its light, it will come up above them.
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که کی باشد کو بپوشد روی آب ** طین کی باشد کو بپوشد آفتاب
- Who (what) is straw that it should cover the face of the water? Who (what) is clay that it should cover the sun?