We are putting corn in this barn, (and then) we are losing the corn that has been garnered.
ما در این انبار گندم می‌‌کنیم ** گندم جمع آمده گم می‌‌کنیم
(Why), after all, do not we consider with intelligent mind that this damage to the corn arises from the deceitfulness of the mouse?
می‌‌نیندیشیم آخر ما به هوش ** کین خلل در گندم است از مکر موش
Since the mouse has made a hole in our barn, and our barn has been ravaged by its guile,
موش تا انبار ما حفره زده ست ** وز فنش انبار ما ویران شده ست
O soul, in the first place avert the mischief of the mouse, and then show fervour (zeal) in garnering the corn.380
اول ای جان دفع شر موش کن ** وانگهان در جمع گندم جوش کن
Hear (one) of the sayings related from the Chiefest of the Chief (the Prophet): “No prayer is complete without ‘presence’ (concentration of the mind on God).”
بشنو از اخبار آن صدر الصدور ** لا صلاة تم الا بالحضور
If there is no thievish mouse in our barn, where is the corn of forty years' works (of devotion)?
گر نه موشی دزد در انبار ماست ** گندم اعمال چل ساله کجاست
Why is the daily sincerity (of our devotions) not being stored, bit by bit, in this barn of ours?
ریزه ریزه صدق هر روزه چرا ** جمع می‌‌ناید در این انبار ما
Many a star (spark) of fire shot forth from the iron (of good works), and that burning heart received (it) and drew (it) in;
بس ستاره‌‌ی آتش از آهن جهید ** و ان دل سوزیده پذرفت و کشید
But in the darkness a hidden thief is laying his finger upon the stars,385
لیک در ظلمت یکی دزدی نهان ** می‌‌نهد انگشت بر استارگان
Extinguishing the stars one by one, that no lamp may shine from the (spiritual) sky.
می‌‌کشد استارگان را یک به یک ** تا که نفروزد چراغی از فلک