تو از آن مرغ هوایی فهم کن ** که ندیدستی طیور من لدن

تو از آن مرغ هوایی فهم کن ** که ندیدستی طیور من لدن 4015

Understand that you are a bird of the (common) air because you have not beheld the esoteric birds.

جای سیمرغان بود آن سوی قاف ** هر خیالی را نباشد دست‌باف

The home of the Símurghs is beyond (Mt) Qáf: it is not (like) a hand-loom (easily accessible) to any imagination,

جز خیالی را که دید آن اتفاق ** آنگهش بعدالعیان افتد فراق

But only to the imagination that beholds it by chance and then, after the vision, is parted (from it)—

نه فراق قطع بهر مصلحت ** که آمنست از هر فراق آن منقبت

Not a parting that involves severance, (but a parting) for a wise purpose; for that high estate is secure from every (real) parting.

بهر استبقاء آن روحی جسد ** آفتاب از برف یک‌دم درکشد

In order to preserve the spiritual body the (Divine) Sun for a time withdraws (His beams) from the snow.

بهر جان خویش جو زیشان صلاح ** هین مدزد از حرف ایشان اصطلاح 4020

Seek good for thy soul from them (who have attained unto God): beware, do not steal mystical expressions from their language.

آن زلیخا از سپندان تا به عود ** نام جمله چیز یوسف کرده بود

Zalíkhá had applied to Joseph the name of everything, from rue-seed to aloeswood.

نام او در نامها مکتوم کرد ** محرمان را سر آن معلوم کرد

She concealed his name in (all other) names and made the inner meaning thereof known to (none but her) confidants.

چون بگفتی موم ز آتش نرم شد ** این بدی کان یار با ما گرم شد

When she said, “The wax is softened by the fire,” this meant, “My beloved is very fond of me.”

ور بگفتی مه برآمد بنگرید ** ور بگفتی سبز شد آن شاخ بید

And if she said, “Look, the moon is risen”; or if she said, “The willow-bough is green (with new leaves)”;