هر که کارد گردد انبارش تهی ** لیکش اندر مزرعه باشد بهی‌‌

When any one sows, his barn becomes empty (of seed), but there is goodliness in his cornfield;

و آن که در انبار ماند و صرفه کرد ** اشپش و موش و حوادث پاک خورد 2240

And, if he leaves it (the seed) in the barn and saves it up, weevils and mice and calamities (of time and decay) devour it entirely.

این جهان نفی است در اثبات جو ** صورتت صفر است در معنات جو

This world is negation (of reality): seek (reality) in affirmation (of God). Your form (body) is void (of reality): seek in your essence.

جان شور تلخ پیش تیغ بر ** جان چون دریای شیرین را بخر

Bring the briny bitter (animal) soul to the sword: buy the (heavenly) soul that is like a great sweet river.

ور نمی‌‌دانی شدن زین آستان ** باری از من گوش کن این داستان‌‌

And if you cannot become (one of the frequenters) of this threshold (sublime court), at least hear from me the following tale.

قصه‌‌ی خلیفه که در کرم در زمان خود از حاتم طایی گذشته بود و نظیر خود نداشت‌‌

The story of the Caliph who in his time surpassed Hátim of Tayyi in generosity and had no rival.

یک خلیفه بود در ایام پیش ** کرده حاتم را غلام جود خویش‌‌

In former days there was a Caliph who made Hátim the slave of his liberality.

رایت اکرام و داد افراشته ** فقر و حاجت از جهان برداشته‌‌ 2245

He had raised high the banner of munificence and largesse, he had removed poverty and want from the world.

بحر و کان از بخشش‌‌اش صاف آمده ** داد او از قاف تا قاف آمده‌‌

(He was) a sea (of bounty), and the pearls (in it) came pure (untarnished) from his munificence: his largesse reached from Qáf to Qáf.

در جهان خاک ابر و آب بود ** مظهر بخشایش وهاب بود

In this world of dust he was the cloud and the rain: he was the centre wherein the bounty of the Giver of all displayed itself.

از عطایش بحر و کان در زلزله ** سوی جودش قافله بر قافله‌‌

His gifts caused sea and mine to quake (tremble with shame): caravan on caravan (were hastening) towards his liberality.