آن دل چون سنگ را ما چند چند ** نرم گفتیم و نمی‌‌پذرفت پند

How oft, how oft, have we spoken gently to our stony hearts, and they would not accept the counsel!

ریش بد را داروی بد یافت رگ ** مر سر خر را سزد دندان سگ‌‌

For a bad wound the vein gets (requires) a bad (severe) remedy: the teeth of the dog are suitable for the donkey's head.

الخبیثات الخبیثین حکمت است ** زشت را هم زشت جفت و بابت است‌‌

The wicked women to the wicked men is wisdom: the ugly is the mate and fitting (consort) for the ugly.

پس تو هر جفتی که می‌‌خواهی برو ** محو و هم شکل و صفات او بشو 3605

Whatever, then, you wish to mate with, go, become absorbed by it, and assume its shape and qualities.

نور خواهی مستعد نور شو ** دور خواهی خویش بین و دور شو

If you wish for the light, make yourself ready to receive the light; if you wish to be far (from God), become self-conceited and far;

ور رهی خواهی ازین سجن خرب ** سر مکش از دوست و اسجد و اقترب‌‌

And if you wish (to find) a way out of this ruined prison, do not turn your head away from the Beloved, but bow in worship and draw nigh.

بقیه‌‌ی قصه‌‌ی زید در جواب رسول علیه السلام‌‌

The remainder of the story of Zayd (and what he said) in answer to the Prophet, on whom be peace.

این سخن پایان ندارد خیز زید ** بر براق ناطقه بر بند قید

This discourse hath no end. “Arise, O Zayd, and tie a shackle on the Buráq (steed) of thy rational spirit.

ناطقه چون فاضح آمد عیب را ** می‌‌دراند پرده‌‌های غیب را

Since the rational spirit exposes faults, it is rending the curtains of concealment.

غیب مطلوب حق آمد چند گاه ** این دهل‌‌زن را بران بر بند راه‌‌ 3610

Concealment is desired by God for awhile. Drive away this drummer, bar the road!

تک مران در کش عنان مستور به ** هر کس از پندار خود مسرور به‌‌

Do not gallop, draw rein, ’tis better it (thy spirit) should be veiled; ’tis better that every one should be gladdened by his own fancy.