گر نگشتی هیزم او مثمر بدی ** تا ابد معمور و هم عامر بدی

گر نگشتی هیزم او مثمر بدی ** تا ابد معمور و هم عامر بدی 4220

Had it not become firewood, it would have been fruitful: it would have prospered unto everlasting and would have caused prosperity.

باد سوزانت این آتش بدان ** پرتو آتش بود نه عین آن

Know that this fire is a burning wind: it is a ray of fire, not the essence thereof.

عین آتش در اثیر آمد یقین ** پرتو و سایه‌ی ویست اندر زمین

Assuredly the essence of fire is in the aether: on the earth there is (only) its ray and shadow (reflexion).

لاجرم پرتو نپاید ز اضطراب ** سوی معدن باز می‌گردد شتاب

Of necessity, the ray, on account of quivering, does not endure: it is speedily returning to its source.

قامت تو بر قرار آمد بساز ** سایه‌ات کوته دمی یکدم دراز

Your stature is normally invariable, (but) your shadow is now short, now long.

زانک در پرتو نیابد کس ثبات ** عکسها وا گشت سوی امهات 4225

Inasmuch as no one finds permanence in the ray, (all) the reflexions return to (their) origins.

هین دهان بر بند فتنه لب گشاد ** خشک آر الله اعلم بالرشاد

Hark, close thy mouth: Mischief has opened its lips. Dry up! God best knoweth the right way.

ذکرخیال بد اندیشیدن قاصر فهمان

Account of the conception of evil fancies by those deficient in understanding.

پیش از آنک این قصه تا مخلص رسد ** دود و گندی آمد از اهل حسد

Ere this tale reaches the conclusion, there comes from the envious a vapour of stench.

من نمی‌رنجم ازین لیک این لگد ** خاطر ساده‌دلی را پی کند

I am not pained by it, but this kick may break the nerve of a simple-hearted man's mind.

خوش بیان کرد آن حکیم غزنوی ** بهر محجوبان مثال معنوی

Well did the Sage of Ghazna set forth the (following) spiritual parable for the sake of those who are veiled (from perception of the truth),