جمله قرآن شرح خبث نفس‌هاست ** بنگر اندر مصحف آن چشمت کجاست
The entire Qur’án is a description of the viciousness of carnal souls: look into the Holy Book! Where is thine eye?
ذکر نفس عادیان کالت بیافت ** در قتال انبیا مو می‌شکافت
(’Tis) an account of the carnal soul of people like ‘Ád, which (whenever it) found weapons took the utmost pains to combat the prophets.
قرن قرن از شوم نفس بی‌ادب ** ناگهان اندر جهان می‌زد لهب
From generation to generation, the wickedness of the undisciplined carnal soul was the cause of the world being suddenly set on fire (by Divine wrath).
رجوع کردن بدان قصه کی شاه‌زاده بدان طغیان زخم خورد از خاطر شاه پیش از استکمال فضایل دیگر از دنیا برفت
Returning to the Story of the prince who was smitten by a (mortal) blow from the heart of the King and departed from this world before he was fully endowed with the other (spiritual) excellences.
قصه کوته کن که رای نفس کور ** برد او را بعد سالی سوی گور 4865
Abridge the tale: after a year (had passed) the indignation of that jealous one (the King of China) brought him (the prince) to the grave.
شاه چون از محو شد سوی وجود ** چشم مریخیش آن خون کرده بود
When the King emerged from the state of self-effacement (mahw) into consciousness, (he found that) his martial eye had wrought that bloodshed.
چون به ترکش بنگرید آن بی‌نظیر ** دید کم از ترکشش یک چوبه تیر
When the peerless (King) looked at his quiver he perceived that one arrow was missing from his quiver.
گفت کو آن تیر و از حق باز جست ** گفت که اندر حلق او کز تیر تست
He said (to himself), “Where is that arrow?” and requested God (to inform him). He (God) replied, “In his (the prince's) throat, for ’tis by thy arrow (that he has been slain).”
عفو کرد آن شاه دریادل ولی ** آمده بد تیر اه بر مقتلی
The King, whose heart was like an ocean, pardoned him; but, alas, the arrow had struck a vital spot.
کشته شد در نوحه‌ی او می‌گریست ** اوست جمله هم کشنده و هم ولیست 4870
He was slain, and the King wept in mourning for him, (for) he (the King) is all: he is both the slayer and the next of kin;
ور نباشد هر دو او پس کل نیست ** هم کشنده‌ی خلق و هم ماتم‌کنیست
For if he be not both, then he is not all; (but) he is both the slayer of people and a mourner (for them).