If you are a man (bound) for the Pilgrimage, seek a pilgrim (as your) companion, whether he be a Hindoo or a Turcoman or an Arab.
مرد حجی همره حاجی طلب ** خواه هندو خواه ترک و یا عرب
Do not look at his figure and colour, look at his purpose and intention.2895
منگر اندر نقش و اندر رنگ او ** بنگر اندر عزم و در آهنگ او
If he is black, (yet) he is in accord with you: call him white, for (spiritually) his complexion is the same as yours.
گر سیاه است او هم آهنگ تو است ** تو سپیدش خوان که هم رنگ تو است
This story has been told up and down (confusedly), like the thoughts of lovers, without foot (end) or head (beginning).
این حکایت گفته شد زیر و زبر ** همچو فکر عاشقان بی‌‌پا و سر
It hath no head, inasmuch as it existed before eternity; it hath no foot: it has (always) been akin to everlastingness.
سر ندارد چون ز ازل بوده ست پیش ** پا ندارد با ابد بوده ست خویش
Nay, it is like water: every drop thereof is both head and foot, and at the same time without both.
بلکه چون آب است هر قطره از آن ** هم سر است و پا و هم بی‌‌هردوان
This is not a story, mark you! God forbid! This is the ready money (presentation, here and now) of my state and yours. Consider (it) well,2900
حاش لله این حکایت نیست هین ** نقد حال ما و تست این خوش ببین
Because the Súfí is grand and glorious (in his spiritual vision): whatever is past is not remembered (does not enter his mind).
ز آن که صوفی با کر و با فر بود ** هر چه آن ماضی است لا یذکر بود
We are both the Arab and the jug and the King; we are all: he that has been turned away from it (the Truth) shall be turned away.
هم عرب ما هم سبو ما هم ملک ** جمله ما يؤفک عنه من أفک
Know that the husband is Reason, and this wife is the appetitive soul and cupidity: these twain are dark and deniers (of Reason); Reason is the (bright) candle.
عقل را شو دان و زن را نفس و طمع ** این دو ظلمانی و منکر عقل شمع