امر و نهی و خشم و تشریف و عتاب ** نیست جز مختار را ای پاک‌جیب
Command and prohibition and anger and conferment of honour and (bestowal of) rebuke concern him (only) who possesses the power of choice, O pure-bosomed one.
اختیاری هست در ظلم و ستم ** من ازین شیطان و نفس این خواستم
There is (such) a power of choice in regard to injustice and wrong-doing: this (is what) I meant by this Devil and carnal soul.
اختیار اندر درونت ساکنست ** تا ندید او یوسفی کف را نخست 2975
The power of choice resides in your inward part, (but) it does not wound its hand till it sees a Joseph.
اختیار و داعیه در نفس بود ** روش دید آنگه پر و بالی گشود
The power of choice and the instinct (to choose) were (latent) in the soul: (when) it beheld his (Joseph's) face, then it spread wings and pinions (to fly towards him).
When the dog is asleep its power of choice is lost, (but) when it sees the tripe it wags its tail.
اسپ هم حو حو کند چون دید جو ** چون بجنبد گوشت گربه کرد مو
A horse, too, whinnies when he sees barley, and when the meat is moved, the cat miauls.
دیدن آمد جنبش آن اختیار ** هم‌چو نفخی ز آتش انگیزد شرار
Sight (of the desired object) is the means of moving the power of choice (to exert itself), just as a blowing (of breath) raises sparks from the fire.
پس بجنبد اختیارت چون بلیس ** شد دلاله آردت پیغام ویس 2980
Therefore your power of choice is moved (to action) when Iblís becomes a go-between (dallála) and brings (to you) a message from Wís.
چونک مطلوبی برین کس عرضه کرد ** اختیار خفته بگشاید نورد
When he presents an object of desire to this person (who possesses the power of choice), the sleeping power unrolls itself (begins to move towards that object);
وآن فرشته خیرها بر رغم دیو ** عرضه دارد می‌کند در دل غریو
And (on the other hand), in despite of the Devil, the Angel presents (to you) good objects (of desire) and makes an outcry in your heart,