این همه عالم طلب‏کار خوشند ** وز خوش تزویر اندر آتشند

All the world are seekers of happiness, and on account of a false happiness they are in the fire.

طالب زر گشته جمله پیر و خام ** لیک قلب از زر نداند چشم عام‏

Old and young have become gold-seekers, but the common eye does not distinguish alloy from gold.

پرتوی بر قلب زد خالص ببین ** بی‏محک زر را مکن از ظن گزین‏ 745

The pure (gold) shot a beam on the alloy: see that you choose not the gold on the ground of (mere) opinion, without a touchstone.

گر محک داری گزین کن ور نه رو ** نزد دانا خویشتن را کن گرو

If you have a touchstone, choose; otherwise, go, devote yourself to him that knows (the difference).

یا محک باید میان جان خویش ** ور ندانی ره مرو تنها تو پیش‏

Either you must have a touchstone within your own soul, or if you know not the Way, do not go forward alone.

بانگ غولان هست بانگ آشنا ** آشنایی که کشد سوی فنا

The cry of the ghouls is the cry of an acquaintance—an acquaintance who would lure you to perdition.

بانگ می‏دارد که هان ای کاروان ** سوی من آیید نک راه و نشان‏

She (the ghoul) keeps on crying, “Hark, O caravan people! Come towards me, here is the track and the landmarks.”

نام هر یک می‏برد غول ای فلان ** تا کند آن خواجه را از آفلان‏ 750

The ghoul mentions the name of each, saying “O so-and-so,” in order that she may make that personage one of those who sink.

چون رسد آن جا ببیند گرگ و شیر ** عمر ضایع راه دور و روز دیر

When he reaches the spot, he sees wolves and lions, his life lost, the road far off, and the day late.

چون بود آن بانگ غول آخر بگو ** مال خواهم جاه خواهم و آبرو

Prithee say, what is the ghoul's cry like? (It is) “I desire riches, I desire position and renown.”