وقت مرگش که بود صد نوحه بیش ** خنده آید جانش را زین ترس خویش

At the hour of death when a hundred lamentations are (being made) beside him, his spirit begins to laugh at its own fear.

آن زمان داند غنی کش نیست زر ** هم ذکی داند که او بد بی‌هنر 2635

At that moment the rich man knows that he has no gold; the keen-witted man, too, knows that he is devoid of talent.

چون کنار کودکی پر از سفال ** کو بر آن لرزان بود چون رب مال

(’Tis) like (as when) a child's lap (is) filled with potsherds, for he (the child) is trembling for them, like the owner of riches.

گر ستانی پاره‌ای گریان شود ** پاره گر بازش دهی خندان شود

If you take a piece away, he begins to weep; and if you give the piece back to him, he begins to laugh.

چون نباشد طفل را دانش دثار ** گریه و خنده‌ش ندارد اعتبار

Since the child is not endued with knowledge, his weeping and laughter have no importance.

محتشم چون عاریت را ملک دید ** پس بر آن مال دروغین می‌طپید

Inasmuch as the magnate regarded that which is (only) a loan as (his) property, he was quivering (with anxiety) for that false wealth.

خواب می‌بیند که او را هست مال ** ترسد از دزدی که برباید جوال 2640

He dreams that he has wealth and is afraid of the thief who may carry off his sack (of gold).

چون ز خوابش بر جهاند گوش‌کش ** پس ز ترس خویش تسخر آیدش

When Death pulls his ear and makes him start up from slumber, then he falls to mocking at his fears.

همچنان لرزانی این عالمان ** که بودشان عقل و علم این جهان

Even such (is) the trembling of these learned scholars who have the intelligence and knowledge of this world.

از پی این عاقلان ذو فنون ** گفت ایزد در نبی لا یعلمون

On account of these accomplished (and) intelligent men, God said in the Qur’án, They do not know.