بود ابر و رفته از وی خوی ابر ** این چنین گردد تن عاشق به صبر
The cloud was (there), but the cloud-nature had gone from it: the body of the lover (of God) becomes like this by means of renunciation.
تن بود اما تنی گم گشته زو ** گشته مبدل رفته از وی رنگ و بو
It is body, but corporeality has vanished from it: it has been transfigured, colour and perfume have gone from it.
پر پی غیرست و سر از بهر من ** خانهی سمع و بصر استون تن 710
(My) feathers are for the sake of others, while (my) head is for my own sake: (the head which is) the abode of hearing and sight is the pillar (support) of the body.
جان فدا کردن برای صید غیر ** کفر مطلق دان و نومیدی ز خیر
Know that to sacrifice the spirit for the sake of catching others is absolute infidelity and despair of good.
هین مشو چون قند پیش طوطیان ** بلک زهری شو شو آمن از زیان
Beware! Do not be like sugar before parrots; nay, be a poison, be secure from loss;
یا برای شادباشی در خطاب ** خویش چون مردار کن پی کلاب
Or (otherwise), for the sake of having a ‘Bravo’ addressed to thee, make thyself (as) a carcase in the presence of dogs!
پس خضر کشتی برای این شکست ** تا که آن کشتی ز غاصب باز رست
Therefore Khadir scuttled the boat for this purpose, (namely), that the boat might be delivered from him who would have seized it by force.
فقر فخری بهر آن آمد سنی ** تا ز طماعان گریزم در غنی 715
(The mystery of) ‘Poverty is my pride’ is sublime: (it is) for the purpose that I may take refuge from the covetous with Him who is Self-sufficient.
گنجها را در خرابی زان نهند ** تا ز حرص اهل عمران وا رهند
Treasures are deposited in a ruined spot to the end that they may escape the greed of those who dwell in places of cultivation.
پر نتانی کند رو خلوت گزین ** تا نگردی جمله خرج آن و این
(If) thou canst not tear out thy feathers, go, adopt (a life of) solitude, that thou mayst not be entirely squandered (consumed) by that one and this one;