کار بی‌‌چون را که کیفیت نهد ** این که گفتم هم ضرورت می‌‌دهد

Who shall describe the action of Him who hath no like? This that I have said (is what) the present necessity is affording.

گه چنین بنماید و گه ضد این ** جز که حیرانی نباشد کار دین‌‌

Sometimes it (the action of God) appears like this and sometimes the contrary of this: the work of religion is naught but bewilderment.

نی چنان حیران که پشتش سوی اوست ** بل چنین حیران و غرق و مست دوست‌‌

(I mean) not one bewildered in such wise that his back is (turned) towards Him; nay, but one bewildered (with ecstasy) like this and drowned (in God) and intoxicated with the Beloved.

آن یکی را روی او شد سوی دوست ** و آن یکی را روی او خود روی دوست‌‌

The face of the one is set towards the Beloved, (while) the face of the other is just his own face (he is facing himself).

روی هر یک می‌‌نگر می‌‌دار پاس ** بو که گردی تو ز خدمت رو شناس‌‌ 315

Look long on the face of every one, keep watch attentively: it may be that by doing service (to Súfís) you will come to know the face (of the true saint).

چون بسی ابلیس آدم روی هست ** پس به هر دستی نشاید داد دست‌‌

Since there is many a devil who hath the face of Adam, it is not well to give your hand to every hand,

ز انکه صیاد آورد بانگ صفیر ** تا فریبد مرغ را آن مرغ گیر

Because the fowler produces a whistling sound in order to decoy the bird,

بشنود آن مرغ بانگ جنس خویش ** از هوا آید بیابد دام و نیش‌‌

(So that) the bird may hear the note of its congener and come down from the air and find trap and knife-point.

حرف درویشان بدزدد مرد دون ** تا بخواند بر سلیمی ز ان فسون‌‌

The vile man will steal the language of dervishes, that he may thereby chant a spell over (fascinate and deceive) one who is simple.

کار مردان روشنی و گرمی است ** کار دونان حیله و بی‌‌شرمی است‌‌ 320

The work of (holy) men is (as) light and heat; the work of vile men is trickery and shamelessness.