آن تحری آمد اندر لیل تار ** وین حضور کعبه و وسط نهار
That (knowledge based on opinion) is (like) searching (for the direction of the Ka‘ba) in the dark night, while this (mystic knowledge) is (like) the presence of the Ka‘ba and midday.
خیز ای نمرود پر جوی از کسان ** نردبانی نایدت زین کرکسان
Arise, O (thou who resemblest) Nimrod, and seek wings from (holy) personages: thou wilt not get any ladder from these vultures.
عقل جزوی کرکس آمد ای مقل ** پر او با جیفه‌خواری متصل
The vulture is the particular (discursive) reason, O poor (-spirited) one: its wings are connected with the eating of carrion;
عقل ابدالان چو پر جبرئیل ** می‌پرد تا ظل سدره میل میل
(But) the reason of the Abdál (exalted saints) is like the wings of Gabriel: it soars, mile by mile, up to the shade of the lote-tree (in Paradise).
باز سلطانم گشم نیکوپیم ** فارغ از مردارم و کرکس نیم 4140
(It says), “I am a royal falcon, I am fair and auspicious, I have nothing to do with carrion: I am not a vulture.
ترک کرکس کن که من باشم کست ** یک پر من بهتر از صد کرکست
Abandon the vulture, for I will be thy helper: a wing of mine is better for thee than a hundred vultures.”
چند بر عمیا دوانی اسپ را ** باید استا پیشه را و کسپ را
How long wilt thou gallop blindly? For (learning) a trade and business one needs a master.
خویشتن رسوا مکن در شهر چین ** عاقلی جو خویش از وی در مچین
Do not disgrace thyself in the capital of China: seek a sage and do not separate thyself from him.
آن چه گوید آن فلاطون زمان ** هین هوا بگار و رو بر وفق آن
Hark, whatever the Plato of the age bids thee do, give up thy self-will and act in accordance with that (counsel).
جمله می‌گویند اندر چین به جد ** بهر شاه خویشتن که لم یلد 4145
All (who dwell) in China are saying in zeal for (the glory of) their King, “He begetteth not.