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در زمانه صاحب دامی بود ** هم‌چو ما احمق که صید خود کند
- Is any owner of a trap in the world such a dolt that, like us, he tries to catch himself?
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چون شکار خوک آمد صید عام ** رنج بی‌حد لقمه خوردن زو حرام
- Pursuit of the vulgar is like hunting pig: the fatigue is infinite, and ’tis unlawful to eat a morsel thereof.
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آنک ارزد صید را عشقست و بس ** لیک او کی گنجد اندر دام کس
- That which is worth pursuing is Love alone; but how should He be contained in any one's trap?
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تو مگر آیی و صید او شوی ** دام بگذاری به دام او روی 410
- (Yet) perchance thou mayst come and be made His prey, thou mayst discard the trap, and go into His trap.
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عشق می‌گوید به گوشم پست پست ** صید بودن خوش‌تر از صیادیست
- Love is saying very softly into my ear, “To be a prey is better than to be a hunter.
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گول من کن خویش را و غره شو ** آفتابی را رها کن ذره شو
- Make thyself My fool and be a dupe: renounce the (high) estate of the sun, become a mote!
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بر درم ساکن شو و بی‌خانه باش ** دعوی شمعی مکن پروانه باش
- Become a dweller at My door and be homeless: do not pretend to be a candle, be a moth,
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تا ببینی چاشنی زندگی ** سلطنت بینی نهان در بندگی
- That thou mayst see (taste) the savour of Life and contemplate the sovereignty hidden in servitude.”
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نعل بینی بازگونه در جهان ** تخته‌بندان را لقب گشته شهان 415
- In this world you see the shoes upside down: the title of “kings” is conferred on (those who are really) bondsmen.
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بس طناب اندر گلو و تاج دار ** بر وی انبوهی که اینک تاجدار
- Many a one who deserves to mount the scaffold with a halter on his throat—a crowd (gathers) round him, crying, “Behold, an emperor!”