هر که در آتش همی رفت و شرر ** از میان آب بر می‌کرد سر

Whoever went into the fire and sparks was emerging from the midst of the water;

هر که سوی آب می‌رفت از میان ** او در آتش یافت می‌شد در زمان

Whoever went from the middle towards the water, he was at once found to be in the fire;

هر که سوی راست شد و آب زلال ** سر ز آتش بر زد از سوی شمال

Whoever went towards the right (hand) and the limpid water would put forth his head from the fire on the left;

وانک شد سوی شمال آتشین ** سر برون می‌کرد از سوی یمین

And he who went towards the fiery left, would emerge on the right.

کم کسی بر سر این مضمر زدی ** لاجرم کم کس در آن آتش شدی 430

Few were they who hit upon (understood) the mystery of this occult (matter); consequently, seldom would any one go into the fire;

جز کسی که بر سرش اقبال ریخت ** کو رها کرد آب و در آتش گریخت

(None would go) except him upon whom felicity was shed, so that he abandoned the water and took refuge in the fire.

کرده ذوق نقد را معبود خلق ** لاجرم زین لعب مغبون بود خلق

The people made the pleasure that was actually present their object of worship; consequently the people were swindled by this game.

جوق‌جوق وصف صف از حرص و شتاب ** محترز ز آتش گریزان سوی آب

Troop by troop and rank by rank, (they were) on their guard against the fire and fleeing greedily and in haste towards the water.

لاجرم ز آتش برآوردند سر ** اعتبارالاعتبار ای بی‌خبر

Of necessity, they lifted up their heads (emerged) from (amidst) the fire. Take warning, take warning, O heedless man!

بانگ می‌زد آتش ای گیجان گول ** من نیم آتش منم چشمه‌ی قبول 435

The fire was crying, ‘O crazy fools, I am not fire, I am a delectable fountain.