آدمی را زین هنر بی‌‌چاره گشت ** خلق دریاها و خلق کوه و دشت‌‌

Because of this virtue, the creatures of the seas and those of mountain and plain are helpless before man.

زو پلنگ و شیر ترسان همچو موش ** زو نهنگ و بحر در صفرا و جوش‌‌

Of him the pard and lion are afraid, like the mouse; from him the leviathan and the sea are in pallor and agitation.

زو پری و دیو ساحلها گرفت ** هر یکی در جای پنهان جا گرفت‌‌

From him peri and demon took to the shores (sought refuge): each took abode in some hiding-place.

آدمی را دشمن پنهان بسی است ** آدمی با حذر عاقل کسی است‌‌

Man hath many a secret enemy: the cautious man is a wise one.

خلق پنهان زشتشان و خوبشان ** می‌‌زند در دل بهر دم کوبشان‌‌ 1035

(There are) hidden creatures, evil and good: at every instant their blows are striking on the heart.

بهر غسل ار در روی در جویبار ** بر تو آسیبی زند در آب خار

If you go into the river to wash yourself, a thorn in the water inflicts a hurt upon you.

گر چه پنهان خار در آب است پست ** چون که در تو می‌‌خلد دانی که هست‌‌

Although the thorn is hidden low in the water, you know it is there, since it is pricking you.

خار خار وحیها و وسوسه ** از هزاران کس بود نی یک کسه‌‌

The pricks of (angelic) inspirations and (satanic) temptations are from thousands of beings, not (only) from one.

باش تا حسهای تو مبدل شود ** تا ببینیشان و مشکل حل شود

Wait (patiently) for your (bodily) senses to be transmuted, so that you may see them (the hidden beings), and the difficulty may be solved,

تا سخنهای کیان رد کرده‌‌ای ** تا کیان را سرور خود کرده‌‌ای‌‌ 1040

So that (you may see) whose words you have rejected and whom you have made your captain.

باز طلبیدن نخجیران از خرگوش سر اندیشه‌‌ی او را

How the beasts requested the hare to tell the secret of his thought.