خلق را گر زندگی خواهی ابد ** سر ببر زین چار مرغ شوم بد

If thou wish the people to have everlasting life, cut off the heads of these four foul and evil birds,

بازشان زنده کن از نوعی دگر ** که نباشد بعد از آن زیشان ضرر

(And then) revive them again in another sort, so that afterwards no harm will be done by them.

چار مرغ معنوی راه‌زن ** کرده‌اند اندر دل خلقان وطن 40

The four immaterial birds which infest the Way have made their home in the hearts of the people.

چون امیر جمله دلهای سوی ** اندرین دور ای خلیفه‌ی حق توی

Since in this epoch thou, O Vicegerent of God, art the commander of all righteous hearts,

سر ببر این چار مرغ زنده را ** سر مدی کن خلق ناپاینده را

Cut off the heads of these four live birds and make everlasting the creatures that are not enduring for ever.

بط و طاوسست و زاغست و خروس ** این مثال چار خلق اندر نفوس

There is the duck and the peacock and the crow and the cock: these are a parable of the four (evil) dispositions in (human) souls.

بط حرصست و خروس آن شهوتست ** جاه چون طاوس و زاغ امنیتست

The duck is greed, and the cock is lust; eminence is like the peacock, and the crow is (worldly) desire.

منیتش آن که بود اومیدساز ** طامع تابید یا عمر دراز 45

His (the crow's) object of desire is this, that he forms hopes and wishes for immortality or long life.

بط حرص آمد که نولش در زمین ** در تر و در خشک می‌جوید دفین

The duck is greed, for her bill is always in the ground, seeking what is buried in the wet and dry.

یک زمان نبود معطل آن گلو ** نشنود از حکم جز امر کلوا

That gullet (of hers) is never idle for a moment: it hearkens unto naught of the (Divine) ordinance save the command “Eat ye!”

هم‌چو یغماجیست خانه می‌کند ** زود زود انبان خود پر می‌کند

’Tis like the looter who digs up (ravages) the house and very quickly fills his bag,

اندر انبان می‌فشارد نیک و بد ** دانه‌های در و حبات نخود

Cramming into the bag good and bad (indifferently), single pearls and chickpeas,

تا مبادا یاغیی آید دگر ** می‌فشارد در جوال او خشک و تر 50

Cramming dry and wet into the sack, for fear lest another enemy should arrive.

وقت تنگ و فرصت اندک او مخوف ** در بغل زد هر چه زودتر بی‌وقوف

Time presses, the opportunity is small, he is terrified: without delay he heaves it under his arm as speedily as possible.

لیک مومن ز اعتماد آن حیات ** می‌کند غارت به مهل و با انات

But the true believer, from his confidence in that (Divine) Life, conducts his raid in a leisurely manner and with deliberation.

آمنست از فوت و از یاغی که او ** می‌شناسد قهر شه را بر عدو

He hath no fear of missing his chance or of the enemy, for he recognises the King's dominion over the enemy.

آمنست از خواجه‌تاشان دگر ** که بیایندش مزاحم صرفه‌بر 55

He hath no fear of the other fellow-servants coming to jostle him and gain the advantage,

عدل شه را دید در ضبط حشم ** که نیارد کرد کس بر کس ستم

(For) he perceived the King's justice in restraining his followers so that none durst do violence to any one.

لاجرم نشتابد و ساکن بود ** از فوات حظ خود آمن بود

Consequently he does not hurry and is calm: he hath no fear of missing his (appointed) portion.

بس تانی دارد و صبر و شکیب ** چشم‌سیر و مثرست و پاک‌جیب

He hath much deliberation and patience and long-suffering; he is contented and unselfish and pure of heart,

کین تانی پرتو رحمان بود ** وان شتاب از هزه‌ی شیطان بود

For this deliberation is the ray of the Merciful (God), while that haste is from the impulse of the Devil,

زانک شیطانش بترساند ز فقر ** بارگیر صبر را بکشد به عقر 60

Because the Devil frightens him (the greedy man) away from poverty and kills the beast of burden, patience, by stabbing.

از نبی بشنو که شیطان در وعید ** می‌کند تهدیدت از فقر شدید

Hear from the Qur’án that the Devil in menace is threatening thee with hard poverty,

تا خوری زشت و بری زشت و شتاب ** نی مروت نی‌تانی نی ثواب

That in haste thou mayst eat foul things and take foul things, (having in thee) no generosity, no deliberation, no merit acquired by good works.