آب خوش کاو روح را همشیره شد ** در غدیری زرد و تلخ و تیره شد

The sweet water that was a sister (congenial) to the spirit, (after standing) in a pool, became yellow and bitter and turbid.

آتشی کاو باد دارد در بروت ** هم یکی بادی بر او خواند یموت‌‌ 1285

The fire that has wind in its moustache—a single puff of wind calls death upon it.

حال دریا ز اضطراب و جوش او ** فهم کن تبدیلهای هوش او

The state of the sea (is such that) from its agitation and commotion (you may) perceive the changes of its mind.

چرخ سر گردان که اندر جستجوست ** حال او چون حال فرزندان اوست‌‌

The whirling heaven, which is (ever engaged) in seeking and searching—its state is like the state of its children;

گه حضیض و گه میانه گاه اوج ** اندر او از سعد و نحسی فوج فوج‌‌

Now nadir, now middle, now zenith: therein are host on host of stars fortunate and unlucky.

از خود ای جزوی ز کلها مختلط ** فهم می‌‌کن حالت هر منبسط

From thyself, O part made up of wholes, apprehend the state of every simple (uncompounded) thing.

چون که کلیات را رنج است و درد ** جزو ایشان چون نباشد روی زرد 1290

Inasmuch as wholes suffer grief and pain, how should their part not be pale-faced (sick and subject to decay)?

خاصه جزوی کاو ز اضداد است جمع ** ز آب و خاک و آتش و باد است جمع‌‌

Especially a part which is composed of contraries—of water and earth and fire and air.

این عجب نبود که میش از گرگ جست ** این عجب کاین میش دل در گرگ بست‌‌

It is no wonder that the sheep recoiled from the wolf; the wonder is that this sheep set its heart on (became friendly with) the wolf.

زندگانی آشتی ضدهاست ** مرگ آن کاندر میانشان جنگ خاست‌‌

Life is the peace (harmony) of contraries; death is the fact that war arose between them.