That which seems to you to be (really) existent is (mere) skin, while that which seems to have perished—that (in reality) is the root.
دوغ روغن ناگرفتست و کهن ** تا بنگزینی بنه خرجش مکن
The buttermilk has not (yet) taken (the form of) butter and is old: lay it (in store) and do not squander it till you pick out (the butter from it).
هین بگردانش به دانش دست دست ** تا نماید آنچ پنهان کرده است
Hark, turn it knowingly from hand to hand (side to side), that it may reveal that which it has hidden;
زآنک این فانی دلیل باقیست ** لابه‌ی مستان دلیل ساقیست3050
For this perishable (body) is a proof of the everlasting (spirit): the maundering of the intoxicated is a proof of (the existence of) the Cupbearer.
مثال دیگر هم درین معنی
Another parable on the same subject.
هست بازیهای آن شیر علم ** مخبری از بادهای مکتتم
The gambols of the lion on the banner are indicative of winds concealed (from view).
گر نبودی جنبش آن بادها ** شیر مرده کی بجستی در هوا
If there were not the movement of those winds, how would the dead lion leap into the air?
زان شناسی باد را گر آن صباست ** یا دبورست این بیان آن خفاست
By that (means) you know whether the wind is the east-wind or the westwind: this (movement of the lion) is the explanation of that occult matter.
این بدن مانند آن شیر علم ** فکر می‌جنباند او را دم به دم
This body is like the lion on the banner: thought is causing it to move continually.
فکر کان از مشرق آید آن صباست ** وآنک از مغرب دبور با وباست3055
The thought that comes from the east is (as) the (refreshing) east-wind, and that which (comes) from the west is (as) the west-wind fraught with pestilence.
مشرق این باد فکرت دیگرست ** مغرب این باد فکرت زان سرست
The east of this wind of thought is different; the west of this wind of thought is from Yonder side.
مه جمادست و بود شرقش جماد ** جان جان جان بود شرق فاد
The moon is inanimate, and its east is inanimate: the heart's east is the soul of the soul of Soul.
شرق خورشیدی که شد باطن‌فروز ** قشر و عکس آن بود خورشید روز
The east of that Sun which illumines the inward part—the sun of day is (only) the husk and reflexion thereof;
زآنک چون مرده بود تن بی‌لهب ** پیش او نه روز بنماید نه شب
For when the body is dead (and) without the (vital) flame, neither day nor night appears to it;
ور نباشد آن چو این باشد تمام ** بی‌شب و بی روز دارد انتظام3060
But though it (the flame) be not (there), (yet) when this (spiritual Sun) is (present) in perfection, it (the Sun) maintains itself intact without night and day,
هم‌چنانک چشم می‌بیند به خواب ** بی‌مه و خورشید ماه و آفتاب
Just as the eye, without moon and sun, sees moon and sun in dream.
نوم ما چون شد اخ الموت ای فلان ** زین برادر آن برادر را بدان
Since our sleep is the brother of death, O such and such, know (the difference of) that brother from this brother.
ور بگویندت که هست آن فرع این ** مشنو آن را ای مقلد بی‌یقین
And if they tell thee that that is the branch (derivative) of this, do not hear (believe) it, O follower of authority, without (having) certain knowledge.
می‌بیند خواب جانت وصف حال ** که به بیداری نبینی بیست سال
During sleep thy spirit is beholding the representation of a state (of things) which thou wilt not behold, whilst thou art awake, in twenty years,
در پی تعبیر آن تو عمرها ** می‌دوی سوی شهان با دها3065
And thou art running, for (whole) lifetimes, to the sagacious (spiritual) kings in quest of the interpretation thereof,
که بگو آن خواب را تعبیر چیست ** فرع گفتن این چنین سر را سگیست
Saying, “Tell (me), what is the interpretation of that dream?” To call such a mystery a “branch” is currishness.
خواب عامست این و خود خواب خواص ** باشد اصل اجتبا و اختصاص
This is the sleep of the vulgar; but truly the sleep of the elect is the root of (their) privilege and election.