نان چو معنی بود خوردش سود بود ** چون که صورت گشت انگیزد جحود

When the bread was spirit, it was beneficial; since it became form, it rouses disbelief.

همچو خار سبز کاشتر می‌‌خورد ** ز ان خورش صد نفع و لذت می‌‌برد

As (for example) the green thistles which a camel eats, and gains from eating them a hundred benefits and pleasures:

چون که آن سبزیش رفت و خشک گشت ** چون همان را می‌‌خورد اشتر ز دشت‌‌ 3995

When the camel from the desert eats those same thistles, after their greenness is gone and they have become dry,

می‌‌دراند کام و لنجش ای دریغ ** کان چنان ورد مربی گشت تیغ‌‌

They rend his palate and cheek— oh, alas that such a well-nourished rose became a sword!

نان چو معنی بود بود آن خار سبز ** چون که صورت شد کنون خشک است و گبز

When the bread was spirit, it was (like) the green thistles; since it became form, it is now dry and gross.

تو بدان عادت که او را پیش از این ** خورده بودی ای وجود نازنین

According as thou hadst formerly been in the habit of eating it, O gracious being,

بر همان بو می‌‌خوری این خشک را ** بعد از آن کامیخت معنی با ثری‌‌

In the same hope thou (still) are eating this dry stuff, after the spirit has become mingled with clay.

گشت خاک آمیز و خشک و گوشت بر ** ز آن گیاه اکنون بپرهیز ای شتر 4000

It has become mixed with earth and dry and flesh-cutting: abstain now from that herbage, O camel!

سخت خاک آلود می‌‌آید سخن ** آب تیره شد سر چه بند کن‌‌

The words are coming (forth) very earth-soiled; the water has become turbid: stop up the mouth of the well,

تا خدایش باز صاف و خوش کند ** او که تیره کرد هم صافش کند

That God may again make it pure and sweet, that He who made it turbid may likewise make it pure.

صبر آرد آرزو را نه شتاب ** صبر کن و الله اعلم بالصواب‌‌

Patience brings the object of desire, not Haste. Have patience—and God knoweth best what is right.