نفس تو تا مست نقلست و نبید ** دانک روحت خوشه‌ی غیبی ندید
So long as your fleshly soul is intoxicated with the dessert and date-wine (of sensuality), know that your spirit has not beheld the cluster belonging to the World Unseen,
که علاماتست زان دیدار نور ** التجافی منک عن دار الغرور
For the signs of that vision of the Light are (consist in) your withdrawal from the abode of delusion.
مرغ چون بر آب شوری می‌تند ** آب شیرین را ندیدست او مدد
Since the bird is frequenting a briny (piece of) water, it has not seen (found) help (for its thirst) in the sweet water;
بلک تقلیدست آن ایمان او ** روی ایمان را ندیده جان او
Nay, its faith is (mere) imitation: its spirit has never seen the face of faith.
پس خطر باشد مقلد را عظیم ** از ره و ره‌زن ز شیطان رجیم 2450
Hence, because of the accursed Devil, the imitator is in great danger from the road and the brigand;
چون ببیند نور حق آمن شود ** ز اضطرابات شک او ساکن شود
(But) when he beholds the Light of God, he becomes safe: he is at rest from the agitations of doubt.
تا کف دریا نیاید سوی خاک ** که اصل او آمد بود در اصطکاک
The sea-foam (scum) is (always) in collision till it comes to the earth (land) which is its origin.
خاکی است آن کف غریبست اندر آب ** در غریبی چاره نبود ز اضطراب
The foam (scum) is earthly: it is an exile in the water: in exile agitation is inevitable.
چونک چشمش باز شد و آن نقش خواند ** دیو را بر وی دگر دستی نماند
When his (the imitator's) eye is opened and he reads those characters (of Reality), the Devil hath no power over him any more.
گرچه با روباه خر اسرار گفت ** سرسری گفت و مقلدوار گفت 2455
Although the ass spoke of (spiritual) mysteries to the fox, he spoke superficially and like an imitator.