گر همی‌‌پرم همی‌‌بینم مطار ** ور همی‌‌گردم همی‌‌بینم مدار

If I am flying, I behold the place to which I soar; and if I am circling, I behold the axis on which I revolve;

ور کشم باری بدانم تا کجا ** ماهم و خورشید پیشم پیشوا

And if I am dragging a burden, I know whither: I am the moon, and the Sun is in front of me as the guide.”

بیش از این با خلق گفتن روی نیست ** بحر را گنجایی اندر جوی نیست‌‌ 3810

There is no means (possibility) of communicating more than this to the people: in the river there is no room for the Sea.

پست می‌‌گویم به اندازه‌‌ی عقول ** عیب نبود این بود کار رسول‌‌

I speak low according to the measure of (their) understandings: ’tis no fault, this is the practice of the Prophet.

از غرض حرم گواهی حر شنو ** که گواهی بندگان نه ارزد دو جو

“I am free from self-interest: hear the testimony of a freeman, for the testimony of slaves is not worth two barleycorns.”

در شریعت مر گواهی بنده را ** نیست قدری وقت دعوی و قضا

In the religious law the testimony of a slave has no value at the time of litigation and judgement.

گر هزاران بنده باشندت گواه ** بر نسنجد شرع ایشان را به کاه‌‌

(Even) if thousands of slaves bear witness on thy behalf, the law does not assign to them the weight of a straw.

بنده‌‌ی شهوت بتر نزدیک حق ** از غلام و بندگان مسترق‌‌ 3815

In God's sight the slave of lust is worse than menials and slaves brought into servitude,

کاین به یک لفظی شود از خواجه حر ** و آن زید شیرین و میرد سخت مر

For the latter becomes free at a single word from his master, while the former lives sweet but dies exceedingly bitter.

بنده‌‌ی شهوت ندارد خود خلاص ** جز به فضل ایزد و انعام خاص‌‌

The slave of lust hath no (means of) release at all except through the grace of God and His special favour.