شد خیال غایب اندر سینه زفت ** چون که حاضر شد خیال او برفت‌‌

Whilst he was absent, fancy waxed strong in his breast: as soon as he was present, his fancy departed.

گر سمای نور بی‌‌باریده نیست ** هم زمین تار بی‌‌بالیده نیست‌‌

If the radiant sky is not without rain, neither is the dark earth without vegetation.

يؤمنون بالغيب می‌‌باید مرا ** ز آن ببستم روزن فانی سرا

(God said), “I want (what is signified by the words) they believe in the unseen: on that account I have shut the window of the fleeting world.

چون شکافم آسمان را در ظهور ** چون بگویم هل تری فیها فطور

When (if) I cleave the sky manifestly, how should I say, ‘Dost thou see any clefts therein?’”

تا در این ظلمت تحری گسترند ** هر کسی رو جانبی می‌‌آورند 3630

In order that in this darkness they may spread (the carpet of) endeavour, they are turning, every one, their faces in some direction.

مدتی معکوس باشد کارها ** شحنه را دزد آورد بر دارها

For awhile things are reversed: the thief brings the magistrate to the gallows,

تا که بس سلطان و عالی همتی ** بنده‌‌ی بنده‌‌ی خود آید مدتی‌‌

So that many a sultan and man of lofty spirit becomes the slave of his own slave for awhile.

بندگی در غیب آید خوب و گش ** حفظ غیب آید در استعباد خوش‌‌

Service (performed) in absence (through faith in the unseen) is fair and comely; when service is demanded (by God from us), ‘tis pleasing (to Him) that the absent should be remembered (that we should remember to perform what is due to Him, though He is unseen).

کو که مدح شاه گوید پیش او ** تا که در غیبت بود او شرم رو

Where (in what position) is one that praises the king in his presence, compared with one that is shamefaced in absence (from him)?

قلعه داری کز کنار مملکت ** دور از سلطان و سایه‌‌ی سلطنت‌‌ 3635

The governor of a fortress who, on the border of the kingdom, far from the sultan and the shadow (protection) of the sultanate,