منگر اندر نقش و اندر رنگ او ** بنگر اندر عزم و در آهنگ او

منگر اندر نقش و اندر رنگ او ** بنگر اندر عزم و در آهنگ او 2895

Do not look at his figure and colour, look at his purpose and intention.

گر سیاه است او هم آهنگ تو است ** تو سپیدش خوان که هم رنگ تو است‌‌

If he is black, (yet) he is in accord with you: call him white, for (spiritually) his complexion is the same as yours.

این حکایت گفته شد زیر و زبر ** همچو فکر عاشقان بی‌‌پا و سر

This story has been told up and down (confusedly), like the thoughts of lovers, without foot (end) or head (beginning).

سر ندارد چون ز ازل بوده ست پیش ** پا ندارد با ابد بوده ست خویش‌‌

It hath no head, inasmuch as it existed before eternity; it hath no foot: it has (always) been akin to everlastingness.

بلکه چون آب است هر قطره از آن ** هم سر است و پا و هم بی‌‌هردوان‌‌

Nay, it is like water: every drop thereof is both head and foot, and at the same time without both.

حاش لله این حکایت نیست هین ** نقد حال ما و تست این خوش ببین‌‌ 2900

This is not a story, mark you! God forbid! This is the ready money (presentation, here and now) of my state and yours. Consider (it) well,

ز آن که صوفی با کر و با فر بود ** هر چه آن ماضی است لا یذکر بود

Because the Súfí is grand and glorious (in his spiritual vision): whatever is past is not remembered (does not enter his mind).

هم عرب ما هم سبو ما هم ملک ** جمله ما يؤفک عنه من أفک‌‌

We are both the Arab and the jug and the King; we are all: he that has been turned away from it (the Truth) shall be turned away.

عقل را شو دان و زن را نفس و طمع ** این دو ظلمانی و منکر عقل شمع‌‌

Know that the husband is Reason, and this wife is the appetitive soul and cupidity: these twain are dark and deniers (of Reason); Reason is the (bright) candle.

بشنو اکنون اصل انکار از چه خاست ** ز آن که کل را گونه گونه جزوهاست‌‌

Now hear the origin of their denial, whence it arose: (it arose) from the fact that the Whole hath various parts.