گاه در سعد و وصال و دلخوشی ** گاه در نحس فراق و بیهشی

Now (they are) in good luck and union and happiness; now in ill-luck and separation and insensibility.

ماه گردون چون درین گردیدنست ** گاه تاریک و زمانی روشنست

Since the moon of heaven is (engaged) in making this circuit, she is sometimes dark and sometimes bright.

گه بهار و صیف هم‌چون شهد و شیر ** گه سیاستگاه برف و زمهریر 925

Sometimes ’tis spring and summer, (delicious) as honey and milk; sometimes (the world is) a place of punishment by snow and piercing cold.

چونک کلیات پیش او چو گوست ** سخره و سجده کن چوگان اوست

Seeing that before Him (God) universals are like a ball, subject (to Him) and prostrating themselves before His bat,

تو که یک جزوی دلا زین صدهزار ** چون نباشی پیش حکمش بی‌قرار

How shouldst thou, O heart, which art (but) one of these hundred thousand particulars, not be in restless movement at His decree?

چون ستوری باش در حکم امیر ** گه در آخر حبس گاهی در مسیر

Be at the disposal of the Prince, like a horse (or mule), now confined in the stable, now going (on the road).

چونک بر میخت ببندد بسته باش ** چونک بگشاید برو بر جسته باش

When He fastens thee to a peg, be fastened (quiet and submissive); when He looses thee, go, be exultant (prance and bound).

آفتاب اندر فلک کژ می‌جهد ** در سیه‌روزی خسوفش می‌دهد 930

(But keep on the right road, for when) the sun in heaven jumps crookedly, He causes it to be eclipsed in black disgrace,

کز ذنب پرهیز کن هین هوش‌دار ** تا نگردی تو سیه‌رو دیگ‌وار

Saying, “Avoid the (Dragon's) Tail: hark, take heed, lest thou become black of face like a cooking-pot.”

ابر را هم تازیانه‌ی آتشین ** می‌زنندش کانچنان رو نه چنین

The cloud, too, is lashed with a whip of fire, (as through to say), “Go that way, do not go this way!