آن رخی که تاب او بد ماه‌وار ** شد به پیری هم‌چو پشت سوسمار

The countenance whose splendour was moon-like becomes with old age like the back of the Libyan lizard;

وان سر و فرق گش شعشع شده ** وقت پیری ناخوش و اصلع شده

And the fair head and crown (of the head) that once were radiant become ugly and bald at the time of eld;

وان قد صف در نازان چون سنان ** گشته در پیری دو تا هم‌چون کمان 970

And the tall proud figure, piercing the ranks like a spear-point, in old age is bent double like a bow.

رنگ لاله گشته رنگ زعفران ** زور شیرش گشته چون زهره‌ی زنان

The colour of red anemone becomes the colour of saffron; his lion-like strength becomes as the courage of women.

آنک مردی در بغل کردی به فن ** می‌بگیرندش بغل وقت شدن

He that used to grip a man in his arms by skill (in wrestling), (now) they take hold of his arms (to support him) at the time of departure.

این خود آثار غم و پژمردگیست ** هر یکی زینها رسول مردگیست

Truly these are marks of pain and decay: every one of them is a messenger of death.

تفسیر اسفل سافلین الا الذین آمنوا و عملوا الصالحات فلهم اجر غیر مومنون

Commentary on “The lowest of the low, except those who have believed and wrought good works; for they shall have a reward that is not cut off.”

لیک گر باشد طبیبش نور حق ** نیست از پیری و تب نقصان و دق

But if his physician be the Light of God, there is no loss or crushing blow (that he will suffer) from old age and fever.

سستی او هست چون سستی مست ** که اندر آن سستیش رشک رستمست 975

His weakness is like the weakness of the intoxicated, for in his weakness he is the envy of a Rustam.

گر بمیرد استخوانش غرق ذوق ** ذره ذره‌ش در شعاع نور شوق

If he die, his bones are drowned in (spiritual) savour; every mote of him is (floating) in the beams of the light of love-desire.

وآنک آنش نیست باغ بی‌ثمر ** که خزانش می‌کند زیر و زبر

And he who hath not that (Light) is an orchard without fruit, which the autumn brings to ruin.