الف ما انوار با ظلمات چیست ** چون تواند نور با ظلمات زیست‌‌

(We said), Why (this) friendship in us, who are light, with darkness? How can light live with darkness?

آدما آن الف از بوی تو بود ** ز آن که جسمت را زمین بد تار و پود

O Adam, that friendship was owing to the scent of thee, because earth was the woof and warp of thy body.

جسم خاکت را از اینجا بافتند ** نور پاکت را در اینجا یافتند

From this place (the earth) thy earthly body was woven, in this place thy pure light was found.

این که جان ما ز روحت یافته ست ** پیش پیش از خاک آن می‌‌تافته ست‌‌ 2665

This (light) that our souls have obtained from thy spirit shone erstwhile from the dust.

در زمین بودیم و غافل از زمین ** غافل از گنجی که در وی بد دفین‌‌

We were in the earth, and heedless of the earth, heedless of the treasure that lay buried there.

چون سفر فرمود ما را ز آن مقام ** تلخ شد ما را از آن تحویل کام‌‌

When He (God) bade us journey from that place of abode our palates were soured (we were bitterly grieved) by the change,

تا که حجتها همی‌‌گفتیم ما ** که بجای ما کی آید ای خدا

So that we were arguing (and saying), ‘O God, who will come in our stead?

نور این تسبیح و این تهلیل را ** می‌‌فروشی بهر قال و قیل را

Wilt Thou sell the splendour of the praise with which we glorify and magnify Thee for babble and palaver?’

حکم حق گسترد بهر ما بساط ** که بگویید از طریق انبساط 2670

The decree of God spread for us the carpet (of indulgence), (and He said), ‘Speak ye, in the way of boldness

هر چه آید بر زبانتان بی‌‌حذر ** همچو طفلان یگانه با پدر

(And) without fear, whatever comes upon your tongues, like only children with their father;