از خیال آن ره‌زن رسته شده ** وز خیال این مرهم خسته شده
Through phantasy that one becomes the waylayer (destroyer) of him who has escaped (unhurt); and through phantasy this (other) becomes the salve (deliverer) of him who has been (sorely) wounded.
در پری‌خوانی یکی دل کرده گم ** بر نجوم آن دیگری بنهاده سم
One loses his soul in the invocation of demons, while another sets his foot upon the stars.
این روشها مختلف بیند برون ** زان خیالات ملون ز اندرون 325
He (the observer) sees that these modes of action in the external world are diverse (since they arise) from the various phantasies within.
این در آن حیران شده کان بر چیست ** هر چشنده آن دگر را نافیست
This man (engaged in some occupation) is amazed at that man (occupied with something else) and says, “What is he about?” Every taster denies the other (whose taste is different).
آن خیالات ار نبد نامتلف ** چون ز بیرون شد روشها مختلف
Unless those phantasies were incongruous, how did the modes of action become diverse externally?
قبله‌ی جان را چو پنهان کرده‌اند ** هر کسی رو جانبی آورده‌اند
Since the qibla (the true object) of the soul has been hidden, every one has turned his face to a (different) quarter.
تمثیل روشهای مختلف و همتهای گوناگون به اختلاف تحری متحریان در وقت نماز قبله را در وقت تاریکی و تحری غواصان در قعر بحر
Comparison of the different practices and the various aspirations (of mankind) to the disagreement of those who at prayer-time endeavour to find the qibla (direction of Mecca) when it is dark, and to the search of divers (for pearls) at the bottom of the sea.
هم‌چو قومی که تحری می‌کنند ** بر خیال قبله سویی می‌تنند
(They are) like folk trying to find (the direction of the Ka‘ba) and (each) turning in a certain direction which they fancy is the qibla:
چونک کعبه رو نماید صبحگاه ** کشف گردد که کی گم کردست راه 330
When at dawn the Ka‘ba appears, it is discovered who has lost the (right) way;
یا چو غواصان به زیر قعر آب ** هر کسی چیزی همی‌چیند شتاب
Or like divers under the depth of the (sea)-water, every one (of whom) picks up something in haste:
بر امید گوهر و در ثمین ** توبره پر می‌کنند از آن و این
In hope of (getting) precious jewels and pearls, they fill their bags with that and this;
چون بر آیند از تگ دریای ژرف ** کشف گردد صاحب در شگرف
When they come up from the floor of the deep sea, the possessor of the great pearls is discovered,
وآن دگر که برد مروارید خرد ** وآن دگر که سنگ‌ریزه و شبه برد
And (also) the other who got the small pearls, and the other who got (only) pebbles and worthless shells.
هکذی یبلوهم بالساهره ** فتنة ذات افتضاح قاهره 335
Even thus in the Sáhira (place of Judgement) a shameful overwhelming tribulation will afflict them (the followers of phantasy).
هم‌چنین هر قوم چون پروانگان ** گرد شمعی پرزنان اندر جهان
Similarly, every class of people in the world are fluttering like moths round a candle.
خویشتن بر آتشی برمی‌زنند ** گرد شمع خود طوافی می‌کنند
They attach themselves to a fire and circle round their own candle
بر امید آتش موسی بخت ** کز لهیبش سبزتر گردد درخت
In the hope of (gaining) the blessed fire of Moses, by the flame whereof the tree is made more green (flourishing).
فضل آن آتش شنیده هر رمه ** هر شرر را آن گمان برده همه
Every troop (of them) has heard of the excellence of that fire, and all imagine that any spark is that (same fire).
چون برآید صبحدم نور خلود ** وا نماید هر یکی چه شمع بود 340
When the Light of Everlastingness rises at dawn, each (candle) reveals what (manner of) candle it was.
هر کرا پر سوخت زان شمع ظفر ** بدهدش آن شمع خوش هشتاد پر
Whosoever's wings were burnt by the candle of victory, that goodly candle bestows on him eighty wings;
جوق پروانه‌ی دو دیده دوخته ** مانده زیر شمع بد پر سوخته
(But) beneath the bad candle many a moth, whose eyes were sealed, is left (lying) with burnt wings,
می‌طپد اندر پشیمانی و سوز ** می‌کند آه از هوای چشم‌دوز
Quivering in sorrow and anguish, lamenting the vain desire that seals the eyes.
شمع او گوید که چون من سوختم ** کی ترا برهانم از سوز و ستم
Its candle says (to it), “Since I am burnt, how should I deliver thee from burning (grief) and oppression?”
شمع او گریان که من سرسوخته ** چون کنم مر غیر را افروخته 345
Its candle weeps, saying, “My head is consumed: how should I make another resplendent?”
تفسیر یا حسرة علی العباد
[Explanation of “Alas for the servants (of God)!”]
او همی گوید که از اشکال تو ** غره گشتم دیر دیدم حال تو
It (the moth) says, “I was deceived by thy (outward) features and (too) late did I regard thy (inward) condition.”
شمع مرده باده رفته دلربا ** غوطه خورد از ننگ کژبینی ما
The candle is extinguished, the wine is gone, and the Beloved has withdrawn himself from the disgrace of our squintness.