زهد و تقوی را گزیدم دین و کیش ** زانک می‌دیدم اجل را پیش خویش

I adopted asceticism and piety as my religion and practice because I saw before me the appointed end of my life.

مرگ همسایه مرا واعظ شده ** کسب و دکان مرا برهم زده

My neighbour's death had given me warning and upset my (worldly) business and shop.

چون به آخر فرد خواهم ماندن ** خو نباید کرد با هر مرد و زن

Since I shall be left alone at the last, it behoves me not to become friendly with every man and woman.

رو بخواهم کرد آخر در لحد ** آن به آید که کنم خو با احد

I shall turn my face to the grave at the last: ’tis better that I should make friends with the One (God).

چو زنخ را بست خواهند ای صنم ** آن به آید که زنخ کمتر زنم 445

Since my jaw will (ultimately) be bound up, O worshipful one, ’tis better that I should jaw little (now).

ای بزربفت و کمر آموخته ** آخرستت جامه‌ی نادوخته

O thou who hast learned to wear a gold-embroidered robe and a belt, at the last there is (only) the unsewn garment for thee (to wear).

رو به خاک آریم کز وی رسته‌ایم ** دل چرا در بی‌وفایان بسته‌ایم

We shall turn our faces to the earth whence we have sprung: why (then) have we fixed our hearts on creatures devoid of constancy (permanence)?

جد و خویشانمان قدیمی چار طبع ** ما به خویشی عاریت بستیم طمع

The four ‘natures’ are our ancestors and kinsfolk from of old, (yet) we have fixed our hopes on a borrowed (temporary) kinship.

سالها هم‌صحبتی و هم‌دمی ** با عناصر داشت جسم آدمی

During (many) years the body of Man had companionship and intimacy with the elements.

روح او خود از نفوس و از عقول ** روح اصول خویش را کرده نکول 450

His spirit, indeed, is from the (world of) souls and intelligences, (but) the spirit has forsaken its origins.

از عقول و از نفوس پر صفا ** نامه می‌آید به جان کای بی‌وفا

From the pure souls and intelligences there is coming to the spirit a letter, saying, ‘O faithless one,

یارکان پنج روزه یافتی ** رو ز یاران کهن بر تافتی

Thou hast found (some) miserable five-day friends and hast turned thy face away from thy friends of old.’

کودکان گرچه که در بازی خوشند ** شب کشانشان سوی خانه می‌کشند

Although the children are happy in their play, (yet) at nightfall they are dragged off and taken home.

شد برهنه وقت بازی طفل خرد ** دزد از ناگه قبا و کفش برد

At play-time the little child strips: suddenly the thief carries off his coat and shoes.

آن چنان گرم او به بازی در فتاد ** کان کلاه و پیرهن رفتش ز یاد 455

He is so hotly engaged in play that his cap and shirt are forgotten.

شد شب و بازی او شد بی‌مدد ** رو ندارد کو سوی خانه رود

Night falls, and his play becomes helpless (impossible): he has not the face to go home.

نی شنیدی انما الدنیا لعب ** باد دادی رخت و گشتی مرتعب

Have not you heard (the Verse) the present life is only a play? You have squandered your goods and have become afraid.

پیش از آنک شب شود جامه بجو ** روز را ضایع مکن در گفت و گو

Look for your clothes ere night comes on: do not waste the day in (idle) talk.

من به صحرا خلوتی بگزیده‌ام ** خلق را من دزد جامه دیده‌ام

I have chosen a (place of) seclusion in the desert: I have perceived that manking are stealers of clothes.

نیم عمر از آرزوی دلستان ** نیم عمر از غصه‌های دشمنان 460

Half of life (is lost) in desire for a charming friend; (the other) half of life (is lost) in anxieties caused by foes.

جبه را برد آن کله را این ببرد ** غرق بازی گشته ما چون طفل خرد

That (desire) has carried off (our) cloak, this (anxiety) has carried off (our) cap, (while) we have become absorbed in play, like a little child.

نک شبانگاه اجل نزدیک شد ** خل هذا اللعب به سبک لاتعد

Lo, the night-time of death is near. Leave this play: you have (played) enough, do not return (to it).

هین سوار توبه شود در دزد رس ** جامه‌ها از دزد بستان باز پس

Hark, mount (the steed of) repentance, overtake the thief, and recover your clothes from him.

مرکب توبه عجاب مرکبست ** بر فلک تازد به یک لحظه ز پست

The steed of repentance is a marvellous steed: in one moment it runs from below up to heaven.

لیک مرکب را نگه می‌دار از آن ** کو بدزدید آن قبایت را نهان 465

But always keep the steed (safe) from him who secretly stole your coat.