-
روبه افتد پهن اندر زیر خاک ** بر سر خاکش حبوب مکرناک
- A fox falls (and lies) flat under his earth: above his earth are deceptive grains,
-
تا بیاید زاغ غافل سوی آن ** پای او گیرد به مکر آن مکردان
- In order that the heedless crow may approach them and the crafty one cunningly seize her by the leg.
-
صدهزاران مکر در حیوان چو هست ** چون بود مکر بشر کو مهترست 4090
- Since there are a hundred thousand cunning tricks in animals, how (great) must be the cunning of Man who is superior (to all other animals)!
-
مصحفی در کف چو زین‌العابدین ** خنجری پر قهر اندر آستین
- In his hand (he carries) a copy of the Holy Book as (though he were) Zaynu ’l- ‘Ábidín; (but) in his sleeve a vengeful dagger.
-
گویدت خندان کای مولای من ** در دل او بابلی پر سحر و فن
- He addresses thee smilingly—“O my lord,” (while) in his heart there is a Babylon of sorcery and guileful spells.
-
زهر قاتل صورتش شهدست و شیر ** هین مرو بی‌صحبت پیر خبیر
- (He is) deadly poison, (though) in appearance he is honey and milk. Beware, do not go (on thy way) save in company with a wise (spiritual) preceptor.
-
جمله لذات هوا مکرست و زرق ** سوز و تاریکیست گرد نور برق
- All selfish pleasures are a deceit and fraud: round the lightning-flash is a wall of darkness.
-
برق نور کوته و کذب و مجاز ** گرد او ظلمات و راه تو دراز 4095
- The lightning is (but) a brief gleam, false and fleeting, surrounded by darkness; and thy way is long.
-
نه به نورش نامه توانی خواندن ** نه به منزل اسپ دانی راندن
- By its light thou canst neither read a letter nor ride to thy destination.
-
لیک جرم آنک باشی رهن برق ** از تو رو اندر کشد انوار شرق
- But, as a penalty for thy being enthralled by the lightning, the beams of sunrise withdraw themselves from thee.