Since God has called the (external) sign (aspect) informative, the eye of the gnostic has remained turned towards the sign.
حق چو سیما را معرف خوانده است ** چشم عارف سوی سیما مانده است
Colour and scent are significant like a bell: the neigh of a horse makes (one) acquainted with the horse.
رنگ و بو غماز آمد چون جرس ** از فرس آگه کند بانگ فرس
The sound made by any thing conveys knowledge of it, so that you may distinguish the bray of an ass from the creak of a door.
بانگ هر چیزی رساند زو خبر ** تا بدانی بانگ خر از بانگ در
Touching the discrimination of persons (one from another), the Prophet said, ‘A man is hidden when his tongue is folded up.’1270
گفت پیغمبر به تمییز کسان ** مرء مخفی لدی طی اللسان
The colour of the face indicates the state of the heart: have pity on me, implant love of me in thy heart.
رنگ رو از حال دل دارد نشان ** رحمتم کن مهر من در دل نشان
A red complexion has the sound of (declares and expresses) thankfulness (satisfaction); the sound (signification) of a pale complexion has the sound (signification) of patience.
رنگ روی سرخ دارد بانگ شکر ** بانگ روی زرد باشد صبر و نکر
There has come upon me that which takes away hand and foot, takes away colour of face and strength and (every outward) mark;
در من آمد آن که دست و پا برد ** رنگ رو و قوت و سیما برد
That which shatters every thing it comes upon, tears up every tree from root and bottom;
آن که در هر چه در آید بشکند ** هر درخت از بیخ و بن او بر کند
There has come upon me that by which man and animal, mineral and plant have been checkmated.1275
در من آمد آن که از وی گشت مات ** آدمی و جانور جامد نبات
These indeed are (only) parts, (but) wholes (too) are by him (Doom) made yellow in hue and corrupt in odour,
این خود اجزایند کلیات از او ** زرد کرده رنگ و فاسد کرده بو