از پی سوراخ بینی رست گل ** بو وظیفه‌ی بینی آمد ای عتل

The rose grew for the sake of the nostrils: sweet scent is the stipend of the nose, O churl.

بوی گل بهر مشامست ای دلیر ** جای آن بو نیست این سوراخ زیر

The scent of the rose is for organs of smell, O bold man: this hole below is not the place for that scent.

کی ازین جا بوی خلد آید ترا ** بو ز موضع جو اگر باید ترا

How should the scent of Paradise come to thee from this place? If thou requirest the (sweet) scent, seek it from its (proper) place.

هم‌چنین حب الوطن باشد درست ** تو وطن بشناس ای خواجه نخست 2230

Likewise, “love of country” is right, (but) first, O master, know (what really is) thy country.

گفت آن ماهی زیرک ره کنم ** دل ز رای و مشورتشان بر کنم

That sagacious fish said, “I will journey, I will withdraw my heart from their advice and counsel.”

نیست وقت مشورت هین راه کن ** چون علی تو آه اندر چاه کن

’Tis no time for counsel. Hark, journey! Like ‘Alí, sigh (the secret) into the well.

محرم آن آه کم‌یابست بس ** شب رو و پنهان‌روی کن چون عسس

Very seldom is there found a fit confidant for that sigh: go by night and let thy movement be hidden, like (that of) the night-patrol.

سوی دریا عزم کن زین آب‌گیر ** بحر جو و ترک این گرداب گیر

Set out from this lake towards the sea: seek the sea and take leave of this whirlpool.

سینه را پا ساخت می‌رفت آن حذور ** از مقام با خطر تا بحر نور 2235

That wary (fish) made its breast o afoot (swam away) and was going from its perilous abode to the sea of light,

هم‌چو آهو کز پی او سگ بود ** می‌دود تا در تنش یک رگ بود

Like the deer of which a dog is in pursuit and which keeps running so long as there is a single nerve in its body.