عاقلان را یک اشارت بس بود ** عاشقان را تشنگی زان کی رود

For men of reason a single indication is enough, (but) how should the thirst (longing) of lovers be removed thereby?

می‌کند تکرار گفتن بی‌ملال ** کی ز اشارت بس کند حوت از زلال

He (the lover) repeats his tale unweariedly: how should a fish be satisfied with (mere) indication (so as to refrain) from the limpid water?

صد سخن می‌گفت زان درد کهن ** در شکایت که نگفتم یک سخن 1250

He (the lover), from that ancient grief, was speaking a hundred words in complaint, saying, “I have not spoken a word.”

آتشی بودش نمی‌دانست چیست ** لیک چون شمع از تف آن می‌گریست

There was a fire in him: he did not know what it was, but on account of its heat he was weeping like a candle.

گفت معشوق این همه کردی ولیک ** گوش بگشا پهن و اندر یاب نیک

The beloved said, “Thou hast done all this, yet open thine ear wide and apprehend well;

کانچ اصل اصل عشقست و ولاست ** آن نکردی اینچ کردی فرعهاست

For thou hast not done what is the root of the root of love and fealty: this that thou hast done is (only) the branches.”

گفتش آن عاشق بگو که آن اصل چیست ** گفت اصلش مردنست ونیستیست

The lover said to her, “Tell me, what is that root?” She said, “The root thereof is to die and be naught.

تو همه کردی نمردی زنده‌ای ** هین بمیر ار یار جان‌بازنده‌ای 1255

Thou hast done all (else), (but) thou hast not died, thou art living. Hark, die, if thou art a self-sacrificing friend!”

هم در آن دم شد دراز و جان بداد ** هم‌چو گل درباخت سر خندان و شاد

Instantly he laid himself at full length (on the ground) and gave up the ghost: like the rose, he played away his head (life), laughing and rejoicing.

ماند آن خنده برو وقف ابد ** هم‌چو جان و عقل عارف بی‌کبد

That laughter remained with him as an endowment unto everlasting, like the untroubled spirit and reason of the gnostic.