مصحفی در کف چو زین‌العابدین ** خنجری پر قهر اندر آستین

In his hand (he carries) a copy of the Holy Book as (though he were) Zaynu ’l- ‘Ábidín; (but) in his sleeve a vengeful dagger.

گویدت خندان کای مولای من ** در دل او بابلی پر سحر و فن

He addresses thee smilingly—“O my lord,” (while) in his heart there is a Babylon of sorcery and guileful spells.

زهر قاتل صورتش شهدست و شیر ** هین مرو بی‌صحبت پیر خبیر

(He is) deadly poison, (though) in appearance he is honey and milk. Beware, do not go (on thy way) save in company with a wise (spiritual) preceptor.

جمله لذات هوا مکرست و زرق ** سوز و تاریکیست گرد نور برق

All selfish pleasures are a deceit and fraud: round the lightning-flash is a wall of darkness.

برق نور کوته و کذب و مجاز ** گرد او ظلمات و راه تو دراز 4095

The lightning is (but) a brief gleam, false and fleeting, surrounded by darkness; and thy way is long.

نه به نورش نامه توانی خواندن ** نه به منزل اسپ دانی راندن

By its light thou canst neither read a letter nor ride to thy destination.

لیک جرم آنک باشی رهن برق ** از تو رو اندر کشد انوار شرق

But, as a penalty for thy being enthralled by the lightning, the beams of sunrise withdraw themselves from thee.

می‌کشاند مکر برقت بی‌دلیل ** در مفازه‌ی مظلمی شب میل میل

Mile after mile through the night the lightning's deception leads thee on, without a guide, in a dark wilderness.

بر که افتی گاه و در جوی اوفتی ** گه بدین سو گه بدان سوی اوفتی

Now thou fallest on a mountain, now into a river; now thou wanderest in this direction, now in that.

خود نبینی تو دلیل ای جاه‌جو ** ور ببینی رو بگردانی ازو 4100

O seeker of worldly estate, thou wilt never find the guide; and if thou find him, thou wilt avert thy face from him,