سیم بربایند زین گون پیچ پیچ ** سیم از کف رفته و کرباس هیچ

(When) by artful tricks of this sort they take money, the money is gone from his (the purchaser's) hand, (but) there is no linen (to be seen).

این جهان جادوست ما آن تاجریم ** که ازو مهتاب پیموده خریم

This world is a sorcerer, and we are the merchants who buy from it the measured moonbeams.

گز کند کرباس پانصد گز شتاب ** ساحرانه او ز نور ماهتاب 1040

Magician-like, it hastily measures out by the ell five hundred ells of linen from the light of the moonbeams,

چون ستد او سیم عمرت ای رهی ** سیم شد کرباس نی کیسه تهی

(Yet), when it takes the money, (which is) thy life, O slave, the money is gone, there is no linen, and thy purse is empty.

قل اعوذت خواند باید کای احد ** هین ز نفاثات افغان وز عقد

Thou must recite Say, I take refuge, crying, “O (Thou who art) One, come, save me from the witches and from (their) knots.

می‌دمند اندر گره آن ساحرات ** الغیاث المستغاث از برد و مات

These sorceresses are blowing on the knots: help, O Thou whose help is besought against (the world's) victory and checkmate.”

لیک بر خوان از زبان فعل نیز ** که زبان قول سستست ای عزیز

But invoke (Him) with the tongue of deeds also, for the tongue of words is weak, O honourable man.

در زمانه مر ترا سه همره‌اند ** آن یکی وافی و این دو غدرمند 1045

In the world thou hast three fellow-travellers: one is faithful and these two (others) are treacherous.

آن یکی یاران و دیگر رخت و مال ** وآن سوم وافیست و آن حسن الفعال

One (of the latter) is friends and the other is goods and chattels; and the third (fellow-traveller) is faithful, and that one is excellence in deeds.

مال ناید با تو بیرون از قصور ** یار آید لیک آید تا به گور

(Thy) wealth will not come with thee out of thy palaces; (thy) friend will come, but he will come (only) as far as thy grave.