کالبد نامه‌ست اندر وی نگر ** هست لایق شاه را آنگه ببر

The body is (like) a letter: look into it (and see) whether it is worthy of the King; then take it (to Him).

گوشه‌ای رو نامه را بگشا بخوان ** بین که حرفش هست در خورد شهان 1565

Go into a corner, open the letter, read (it), see whether its‘ words are suitable to kings.

گر نباشد درخور آن را پاره کن ** نامه‌ی دیگر نویس و چاره کن

If it be not suitable, tear it in pieces and write another letter and remedy (the fault).

لیک فتح نامه‌ی تن زپ مدان ** ورنه هر کس سر دل دیدی عیان

But do not think it is easy to open the letter which is the body; otherwise every one would plainly see the secret of the heart.

نامه بگشادن چه دشوارست و صعب ** کار مردانست نه طفلان کعب

How hard and difficult is it to open the letter! ‘Tis a task for men, not for children playing at knuckle

جمله بر فهرست قانع گشته‌ایم ** زانک در حرص و هوا آغشته‌ایم

We have all become satisfied with (reading) the table of contents, because we are steeped in cupidity and vain desire.

باشد آن فهرست دامی عامه را ** تا چنان دانند متن نامه را 1570

The table of contents is a snare for the vulgar, that they may think the text of the scroll is like that (table).

باز کن سرنامه را گردن متاب ** زین سخن والله اعلم بالصواب

Open the title-page, do not turn your neck aside from these words—and God best knoweth the right course.

هست آن عنوان چو اقرار زبان ** متن نامه‌ی سینه را کن امتحان

That title is like a declaration made by the tongue: examine the text of the scroll, namely, the bosom (your inward self),

که موافق هست با اقرار تو ** تا منافق‌وار نبود کار تو

(And see) whether it is in agreement with your declaration, in order that your actions may not be hypocritical.