That there may be from this jug a passage to the sea, and that my jug may assume the nature of the sea,
تا شود زین کوزه منفذ سوی بحر ** تا بگیرد کوزه‌‌ی من خوی بحر
So that when you carry it as a gift to the King, the King may find it pure and be its purchaser;
تا چو هدیه پیش سلطانش بری ** پاک بیند باشدش شه مشتری
(And) after that, its water will become without end: a hundred worlds will be filled from my jug.
بی‌‌نهایت گردد آبش بعد از آن ** پر شود از کوزه‌‌ی من صد جهان
Stop up its spouts and keep it filled (with water) from the jar (of Reality): God said, “Close your eyes to vain desire.”
لوله‌‌ها بر بند و پر دارش ز خم ** گفت غضوا عن هوا ابصارکم
His (the husband's) beard was full of wind (he was puffed up with pride): “Who (thought he) has such a gift as this? This, truly, is worthy of a King like him.”2715
ریش او پر باد کاین هدیه کراست ** لایق چون او شهی این است راست
The wife did not know that in that place (Baghdád) on the thoroughfare there is running the Tigris (whose water is) sweet as sugar,
زن نمی‌‌دانست کانجا بر گذر ** هست جاری دجله‌‌ی همچون شکر
Flowing like a sea through the city, full of boats and fishing-nets.
در میان شهر چون دریا روان ** پر ز کشتیها و شست ماهیان
Go to the Sultan and behold this pomp and state! Behold the senses of (those for whom God hath prepared gardens) beneath which the rivers flow!
رو بر سلطان و کار و بار بین ** حس تجری تحتها الأنهار بین
Our senses and perceptions, such as they are, are (but) a single drop in that pure river.
این چنین حسها و ادراکات ما ** قطره‌‌ای باشد در آن نهر صفا
How the Arab's wife sewed the jug of rain-water in a felt cloth and put a seal on it because of the Arab's utter conviction (that it was a precious gift for the King).
در نمد دوختن زن عرب سبوی آب باران را و مهر نهادن بر وی از غایت اعتقاد عرب
“Yes,” said the husband, “stop up the mouth of the jug. Take care, for this is a gift that will bring us profit.2720
مرد گفت آری سبو را سر ببند ** هین که این هدیه ست ما را سودمند