عقل را من آزمودم هم بسی ** زین سپس جویم جنون را مغرسی‏

Often have I tried (sound) intelligence; henceforth I will seek a nursery for insanity.”

به حیلت در سخن آوردن سائل آن بزرگ را که خود را دیوانه ساخته بود

How an inquirer managed to draw into conversation an eminent (saintly) man who had feigned to be mad.

آن یکی می‏گفت خواهم عاقلی ** مشورت آرم بدو در مشکلی‏

A certain man was saying, “I want some one of intelligence, (that) I may consult him about a difficulty.”

آن یکی گفتش که اندر شهر ما ** نیست عاقل جز که آن مجنون‏نما

One said to him, “In our city there is nobody of intelligence except yonder man who appears to be mad.

بر نیی گشته سواره نک فلان ** می‏دواند در میان کودکان‏ 2340

Look, there is (one named) so-and-so: mounted on a cane, he rides (it as a cock-horse) amongst the children.

صاحب رای است و آتش پاره‏ای ** آسمان قدر است و اختر باره‏ای‏

He is possessed of judgment and (keen as) a spark of fire; he is as the sky in dignity, and as the stars in high estate.

فر او کروبیان را جان شده ست ** او در این دیوانگی پنهان شده ست‏

His glory has become the (rational) soul of the Cherubim; he has become concealed in this (feigned) madness.”

لیک هر دیوانه را جان نشمری ** سر منه گوساله را چون سامری‏

But you must not account every madman a (rational) soul: do not, like Sámirí, lay down your head (in worship) to a calf.

چون ولیی آشکارا با تو گفت ** صد هزاران غیب و اسرار نهفت‏

When a manifest saint has declared unto you hundreds of thousands of unseen things and hidden mysteries,

مر ترا آن فهم و آن دانش نبود ** واندانستی تو سرگین را ز عود 2345

And you have not had the (proper) understanding and knowledge, (so that) you have not distinguished dung from aloes-wood—

از جنون خود را ولی چون پرده ساخت ** مر و را ای کور کی خواهی شناخت‏

How, when the saint has made for himself a veil of madness, will you recognise him, O blind one?