چون الف از استقامت شد به پیش ** او ندارد هیچ از اوصاف خویش
Like (the letter) alif, he has taken the foremost place because of his straightness (rectitude): he retains nothing of his own qualities.
گشت فرد از کسوه‌ی خوهای خویش ** شد برهنه جان به جان‌افزای خویش
He has become separated from the garment of his own dispositions: his spirit has gone, naked, to Him who gives it increase of spirituality.
چون برهنه رفت پیش شاه فرد ** شاهش از اوصاف قدسی جامه کرد
Inasmuch as it went naked into the presence of the incomparable King, the King made for it a raiment of holy qualities.
خلعتی پوشید از اوصاف شاه ** بر پرید از چاه بر ایوان جاه 3615
It put on a robe of the King's qualities: it flew up from the pit to the palace of majesty.
این چنین باشد چو دردی صاف گشت ** از بن طشت آمد او بالای طشت
Such is the case: when dregs become pure, they rise from the bottom of the bowl to the top.
در بن طشت از چه بود او دردناک ** شومی آمیزش اجزای خاک
Although it (the spirit) remained like dregs at the bottom of the bowl owing to the ill-luck of mixing with particles of earth, (this was not in accordance with its nature).
یار ناخوش پر و بالش بسته بود ** ورنه او در اصل بس برجسته بود
Its disagreeable companion had tied its wings and plumes; else (it would have risen, for) originally it was very soaring.
چون عتاب اهبطوا انگیختند ** هم‌چو هاروتش نگون آویختند
When they uttered the rebuke Get ye down, they suspended it, head first, like Hárút.
بود هاروت از ملاک آسمان ** از عتابی شد معلق هم‌چنان 3620
Hárút was one of the angels of Heaven: on account of a (Divine) rebuke he was suspended thus.
سرنگون زان شد که از سر دور ماند ** خویش را سر ساخت و تنها پیش راند
He was (suspended), head downwards, because he remained far aloof from the Head and made himself the head and advanced alone.