جو که آبش هست جو خود آن بود ** آدمی آنست کو را جان بود 2885
When there is water in it (the canal), (only then) is it (really) a canal: the (real) man is he that hath the spirit (within him).
این نه مردانند اینها صورتند ** مرده‌ی نانند و کشته‌ی شهوتند
These (others) are not men, they are (mere) forms: they are dead with (desire for) bread and killed by appetite.
حکایت آن راهب که روز با چراغ می‌گشت در میان بازار از سر حالتی کی او را بود
Story of the Christian ascetic who went about with a lamp in the daytime in the midst of the bazaar because of the ecstasy which he had (in his heart).
آن یکی با شمع برمی‌گشت روز ** گرد بازاری دلش پر عشق و سوز
That person was going about in a bazaar in the daytime with a candle, his heart full of love and (spiritual) ardour.
بوالفضولی گفت او را کای فلان ** هین چه می‌جویی به سوی هر دکان
A busybody said to him, “Hey, O such-and-such, what are you seeking beside every shop?
هین چه می‌گردی تو جویان با چراغ ** در میان روز روشن چیست لاغ
Hey, why are you going about in search (of something) with a lamp in bright daylight? What is the joke?”
گفت می‌جویم به هر سو آدمی ** که بود حی از حیات آن دمی 2890
He replied, “I am searching everywhere for a man that is alive with the life inspired by that (Divine) Breath.
هست مردی گفت این بازار پر ** مردمانند آخر ای دانای حر
Is there a man in existence?” “This bazaar,” said the other, “is full: surely they are men, O noble sage.”
گفت خواهم مرد بر جاده‌ی دو ره ** در ره خشم و به هنگام شره
He answered, “I want (one who is) a man on the two-wayed road—in the way of anger and at the time of desire.
وقت خشم و وقت شهوت مرد کو ** طالب مردی دوانم کو به کو
Where is (one who is) a man at the moment of anger and at the moment of appetite? In search of (such) a man I am running from street to street.
کو درین دو حال مردی در جهان ** تا فدای او کنم امروز جان
Where in the world is (one who is) a man on these two occasions, that I may devote my life to him to-day?”