حسرت و زاری گه بیماری است ** وقت بیماری همه بیداری است‌‌

Remorse and humility occur at the time of illness: the time of illness is wholly wakefulness (of conscience).

آن زمان که می‌‌شوی بیمار تو ** می‌‌کنی از جرم استغفار تو

At the time when you are becoming ill, you pray God to forgive your trespass;

می‌‌نماید بر تو زشتی گنه ** می‌‌کنی نیت که باز آیم به ره‌‌ 625

The foulness of your sin is shown to you, you resolve to come back to the (right) way;

عهد و پیمان می‌‌کنی که بعد از این ** جز که طاعت نبودم کار گزین‌‌

You make promises and vows that henceforth your chosen course (of action) will be nothing but obedience (to God):

پس یقین گشت این که بیماری ترا ** می‌‌ببخشد هوش و بیداری ترا

Therefore it has become certain that illness gives to you conscience and wakefulness.

پس بدان این اصل را ای اصل جو ** هر که را درد است او برده ست بو

Note, then, this principle, O thou that seekest the principle; every one who suffers pain has caught the scent (thereof):

هر که او بیدارتر پر دردتر ** هر که او آگاه‌‌تر رخ زردتر

The more wakeful any one is, the more full of suffering he is; the more aware (of God) he is, the paler he is in countenance.

گر ز جبرش آگهی زاریت کو ** بینش زنجیر جباریت کو 630

If you are aware of His jabr (compulsion), where is your humility? Where is your feeling of (being loaded with) the chain of His jabbárí (almightiness)?

بسته در زنجیر چون شادی کند ** کی اسیر حبس آزادی کند

How should one make merry who is bound in chains? When does the captive in prison behave like the man who is free?

ور تو می‌‌بینی که پایت بسته‌‌اند ** بر تو سرهنگان شه بنشسته‌‌اند

And if you consider that your foot is shackled (and that) the king's officers are sitting (as custodians) over you,