گر مرا روزی بدی اندر جهان ** خود چه کاراستی مرا با مردگان‏

Had there (still) been for me in the world an allotted portion (of food), what business indeed should I have had with the dead?”

این سزای آن که یابد آب صاف ** همچو خر در جو بمیزد از گزاف‏ 470

This is the punishment deserved by him that finds pure water, and like an ass stales impertinently in the stream.

گر بداند قیمت آن جوی خر ** او بجای پا نهد در جوی سر

If the ass know the value of the stream, instead of his foot he will pull his head in it.

او بیابد آن چنان پیغمبری ** میر آبی زندگانی پروری‏

He (the fool) finds a prophet like that, a lord of the (life-giving) Water, a cherisher of life:

چون نمیرد پیش او کز امر کن ** ای امیر آب ما را زنده کن‏

How does not he die before him, saying, “O lord of the Water, make me living by the command ‘Be’?

هین سگ نفس ترا زنده مخواه ** کاو عدوی جان تست از دیرگاه‏

Take heed! Do not wish your currish (fleshy) soul alive, for it is the enemy of your spirit since long ago.

خاک بر سر استخوانی را که آن ** مانع این سگ بود از صید جان‏ 475

Dust be on the head of the bones that hinder this cur from hunting the spirit!

سگ نه‏ای بر استخوان چون عاشقی ** دیوچه‏وار از چه بر خون عاشقی‏

(If) you are not a cur, how are you in love with bones? Why are you in love with blood, like a leech?

آن چه چشم است آن که بیناییش نیست ** ز امتحانها جز که رسواییش نیست‏

What (sort of) eye is that that hath no sight, and gets nothing but disgrace from the tests (to which it is put)?

سهو باشد ظنها را گاه گاه ** این چه ظن است این که کور آمد ز راه‏

Opinions are sometimes erroneous, (but) what (sort of) opinion is this that is blind to the (right) road?