آن چنان که کاتب وحی رسول ** دید حکمت در خود و نور اصول‌‌

آن چنان که کاتب وحی رسول ** دید حکمت در خود و نور اصول‌‌ 3355

As (for example) the writer of the Revelation given to the Prophet deemed the Wisdom and the Original Light (to be residing) in himself.

خویش را هم صوت مرغان خدا ** می‌‌شمرد آن بد صفیری چون صدا

He was reckoning himself a fellow-songster of the Birds of God, (whereas) that (which proceeded from him) was (only) a whistle resembling an echo.

لحن مرغان را اگر واصف شوی ** بر مراد مرغ کی واقف شوی‌‌

If you become an exponent (imitator) of the song of birds, how will you become acquainted with the (real) meaning of the bird?

گر بیاموزی صفیر بلبلی ** تو چه دانی کاو چه دارد با گلی‌‌

If you learn the note of a nightingale, how will you know what (feelings) it has towards a rose?

ور بدانی باشد آن هم از گمان ** چون ز لب جنبان گمانهای کران‌‌

Or if you do know, ’twill only be from surmise, like the conjectures formed by deaf people from those who move their lips.

به عیادت رفتن کر بر همسایه‌‌ی رنجور خویش‌‌

How the deaf man went to visit his sick neighbour.

آن کری را گفت افزون مایه‌‌ای ** که ترا رنجور شد همسایه‌‌ای‌‌ 3360

One possessed of much wealth said to a deaf man, “A neighbour of thine is fallen ill.”

گفت با خود کر که با گوش گران ** من چه دریابم ز گفت آن جوان‌‌

The deaf man said to himself, “Being hard of hearing, what shall I understand of the words spoken by that youth?—

خاصه رنجور و ضعیف آواز شد ** لیک باید رفت آن جا نیست بد

Especially (as) he is ill and his voice is weak; but I must go thither, there's no escape.

چون ببینم کان لبش جنبان شود ** من قیاسی گیرم آن را هم ز خود

When I see his lips moving, I will form a conjecture as to that (movement) from myself.

چون بگویم چونی ای محنت کشم ** او بخواهد گفت نیکم یا خوشم‌‌

When I say, ‘How are you, O my suffering (friend)?’ he will reply, ‘I am fine’ or ‘I am pretty well.’