لیک بهر آن که روز آیند باز ** بر نهد بر پایشان بند دراز

But in order that they may return in the daytime, He puts a long tether on their leg,

تا که روزش واکشد ز ان مرغزار ** وز چراگاه آردش در زیر بار

So that in the daytime He may lead it back from that meadow and bring it from the pasture (to go) under the load.

کاش چون اصحاب کهف این روح را ** حفظ کردی یا چو کشتی نوح را

Would that He had guarded this spirit as the Men of the Cave or as the Ark of Noah,

تا از این طوفان بیداری و هوش ** وارهیدی این ضمیر چشم و گوش‌‌

That this mind and eye and ear might be delivered from the Flood of wakefulness and consciousness!

ای بسی اصحاب کهف اندر جهان ** پهلوی تو پیش تو هست این زمان‌‌ 405

Oh, in the world there is many a Man of the Cave beside you, before you, at this time:

غار با او یار با او در سرود ** مهر بر چشم است و بر گوشت چه سود

The Friend is with him, the Cave is in converse with him; but your eyes and ears are sealed, (so) what does it avail?

قصه‌‌ی دیدن خلیفه لیلی را

Story of the Caliph's seeing Laylá.

گفت لیلی را خلیفه کان توی ** کز تو مجنون شد پریشان و غوی‌‌

The Caliph said to Laylá: “Art thou she by whom Majnún was distracted and led astray?

از دگر خوبان تو افزون نیستی ** گفت خامش چون تو مجنون نیستی‌‌

Thou art not superior to other fair ones.” “Be silent,” she replied, “since thou art not Majnún.”

هر که بیدار است او در خواب‌‌تر ** هست بیداریش از خوابش بتر

Whosoever is awake (to the material world) is the more asleep (to the spiritual world); his wakefulness is worse than his sleep.

چون به حق بیدار نبود جان ما ** هست بیداری چو در بندان ما 410

When our soul is not awake to God, wakefulness is like closing our doors (to Divine influences).