کشتن و مردن که بر نقش تن است ** چون انار و سیب را بشکستن است‌‌

Slaughter and death which befalls the bodily frame is like breaking pomegranates and apples:

آن چه شیرین است او شد ناردانگ ** و آن که پوسیده ست نبود غیر بانگ‌‌

That which is sweet becomes pomegranate-syrup, and that which is rotten is naught but noise:

آن چه با معنی است خود پیدا شود ** و آن چه پوسیده ست او رسوا شود

That which has reality is made manifest (after death), and that which is rotten is put to shame.

رو به معنی کوش ای صورت پرست ** ز آن که معنی بر تن صورت پر است‌‌ 710

Go, strive after reality, O worshipper of form, inasmuch as reality is the wing on form's body.

همنشین اهل معنی باش تا ** هم عطا یابی و هم باشی فتا

Consort with the followers of reality, that you may both win the gift and be generous (in giving yourself up to God).

جان بی‌‌معنی در این تن بی‌‌خلاف ** هست همچون تیغ چوبین در غلاف‌‌

Beyond dispute, in this body the spirit devoid of reality is even as a wooden sword in the sheath:

تا غلاف اندر بود با قیمت است ** چون برون شد سوختن را آلت است‌‌

Whilst it remains in the sheath, it is (apparently) valuable, (but) when it has come forth it is an implement (only fit) for burning.

تیغ چوبین را مبر در کارزار ** بنگر اول تا نگردد کار زار

Do not take a wooden sword into the battle! First see (whether your sword is a real one), in order that your plight may not be wretched.

گر بود چوبین برو دیگر طلب ** ور بود الماس پیش آ با طرب‌‌ 715

If it is made of wood, go, seek another; and if it is adamant, march forward joyously.

تیغ در زرادخانه‌‌ی اولیاست ** دیدن ایشان شما را کیمیاست‌‌

The sword (of reality) is in the armoury of the saints: to see (and associate with) them is for you (as precious as) the Elixir.