مرغ چون بر آب شوری میتند ** آب شیرین را ندیدست او مدد
Since the bird is frequenting a briny (piece of) water, it has not seen (found) help (for its thirst) in the sweet water;
بلک تقلیدست آن ایمان او ** روی ایمان را ندیده جان او
Nay, its faith is (mere) imitation: its spirit has never seen the face of faith.
پس خطر باشد مقلد را عظیم ** از ره و رهزن ز شیطان رجیم 2450
Hence, because of the accursed Devil, the imitator is in great danger from the road and the brigand;
چون ببیند نور حق آمن شود ** ز اضطرابات شک او ساکن شود
(But) when he beholds the Light of God, he becomes safe: he is at rest from the agitations of doubt.
تا کف دریا نیاید سوی خاک ** که اصل او آمد بود در اصطکاک
The sea-foam (scum) is (always) in collision till it comes to the earth (land) which is its origin.
خاکی است آن کف غریبست اندر آب ** در غریبی چاره نبود ز اضطراب
The foam (scum) is earthly: it is an exile in the water: in exile agitation is inevitable.
چونک چشمش باز شد و آن نقش خواند ** دیو را بر وی دگر دستی نماند
When his (the imitator's) eye is opened and he reads those characters (of Reality), the Devil hath no power over him any more.
گرچه با روباه خر اسرار گفت ** سرسری گفت و مقلدوار گفت 2455
Although the ass spoke of (spiritual) mysteries to the fox, he spoke superficially and like an imitator.
آب را بستود و او تایق نبود ** رخ درید و جامه او عاشق نبود
He praised the water, but he had no longing (for it); he tore his face and raiment, but he was no lover.
از منافق عذر رد آمد نه خوب ** زانک در لب بود آن نه در قلوب
The excuse made by the hypocrite was bad, not good, because it was (only) on their lips, not in their hearts.
بوی سیبش هست جزو سیب نیست ** بو درو جز از پی آسیب نیست
He (the hypocrite) has the smell of the apple, but no part of the apple (itself); and in him (even) the smell is only for the purpose of (coming into) contact (with the true believers).
حملهی زن در میان کارزار ** نشکند صف بلک گردد کارزار
The charge of a woman in battle does not break the (hostile) ranks; nay, her plight becomes pitiable.