چون پری را قوت از بو می‌دهد ** هر ملک را قوت جان او می‌دهد
Since He gives the peri nourishment from scent and gives every angel nourishment from spirit,
جان چه باشد که تو سازی زو سند ** حق به عشق خویش زنده‌ت می‌کند 3170
What is the (animal) soul that you should make a support of (should rely upon) it? God will make you living by His love.
زو حیات عشق خواه و جان مخواه ** تو ازو آن رزق خواه و نان مخواه
Ask of Him the life of love and do not ask for the (animal) soul: ask of Him that (spiritual) provision and do not ask for bread.
خلق را چون آب دان صاف و زلال ** اندر آن تابان صفات ذوالجلال
Know that (the world of) created beings is like pure and limpid water in which the attributes of the Almighty are shining.
علمشان و عدلشان و لطفشان ** چون ستاره‌ی چرخ در آب روان
Their knowledge and their justice and their clemency are like a star of heaven (reflected) in running water.
پادشاهان مظهر شاهی حق ** فاضلان مرآت آگاهی حق
Kings are the theatre for the manifestation of God's kingship; the learned (divines) are the mirrors for God's wisdom.
قرنها بگذشت و این قرن نویست ** ماه آن ماهست آب آن آب نیست 3175
Generations have passed away, and this is a new generation: the moon is the same moon, the water is not the same water.
عدل آن عدلست و فضل آن فضل هم ** لیک مستبدل شد آن قرن و امم
The justice is the same justice, and the learning is the same learning too; but those generations and peoples have been changed (supplanted by others).
قرنها بر قرنها رفت ای همام ** وین معانی بر قرار و بر دوام
Generations on generations have gone, O sire, but these Ideas (Divine attributes) are permanent and everlasting.
آن مبدل شد درین جو چند بار ** عکس ماه و عکس اختر بر قرار
The water in this channel has been changed many times: the reflexion of the moon and of the stars remains unaltered.