هر قدم زین آب تازی دورتر ** دو دوان سوی سراب با غرر
At every step you hurry farther away from the water, whilst you keep running on towards the perilous mirage.
عین آن عزمت حجاب این شده ** که به تو پیوسته است و آمده
Your very setting-out has become the barrier (which prevents you) from (seeing) this that has come close to you.
بس کسا عزمی به جایی می‌کند ** از مقامی کان غرض در وی بود
Oh, many a one sets out to some place from the spot where the object of his quest is (to be found).
دید و لاف خفته می‌ناید به کار ** جز خیالی نیست دست از وی بدار3235
The (far) sight and boasting of the sleeper is of no avail; it is naught but a phantasy: hold aloof from it.
خوابناکی لیک هم بر راه خسپ ** الله الله بر ره الله خسپ
Thou art sleepy, but anyhow sleep on the Way: for God's sake, for God's sake, sleep on the Way of God,
تا بود که سالکی بر تو زند ** از خیالات نعاست بر کند
That perchance a Traveller (on the Way) may attach himself to thee and tear thee from the phantasies of slumber.
خفته را گر فکر گردد هم‌چو موی ** او از آن دقت نیابد راه کوی
(Even) if the sleeper's thought become (subtle) as a hair, he will not find the way to the Abode by that subtlety.
فکر خفته گر دوتا و گر سه‌تاست ** هم خطا اندر خطا اندر خطاست
Whether the sleeper's thought is twofold or threefold, still it is error on error on error.
موج بر وی می‌زند بی‌احتراز ** خفته پویان در بیابان دراز3240
The waves are beating upon him without restraint, (whilst) he asleep is running in the long wilderness.
خفته می‌بیند عطشهای شدید ** آب اقرب منه من حبل الورید
The sleeper dreams of the sore pangs of thirst, (whilst) the water is nearer unto him than the neck-vein.
حکایت آن زاهد کی در سال قحط شاد و خندان بود با مفلسی و بسیاری عیان و خلق می‌مردند از گرسنگی گفتندش چه هنگام شادیست کی هنگام صد تعزیت است گفت مرا باری نیست
Story of the ascetic who, notwithstanding his destitution and numerous family, was rejoicing and laughing in a year of drought whilst the people were dying of hunger. They said to him, "What is the occasion for joy? It is an occasion for a hundred mournings." "For me at any rate ’tis not (so)," he replied.