Postquam semen generationis in terram salsuginosam infudit, ipse ad se rediit, fugit ab eo illa imago. [After he had scattered the seed of generation on salty (infertile) ground, he came to himself (and) the phantom fled from him.]415
چون که تخم نسل را در شوره ریختا ** و به خویش آمد خیال از وی گریخت
Hinc percepit languorem capitis et (videt) corpus pollutum. Proh dolor ob illud simulacrum visum (sed revera) non visum! [Because of that, he sees (himself as) faint of head and polluted of body. Alas, because of that visible (but) invisible form!]
ضعف سر بیند از آن و تن پلید ** آه از آن نقش پدید ناپدید
The bird is flying on high, and below, its shadow is speeding on the earth, flying like a bird:
مرغ بر بالا و زیر آن سایهاش ** میدود بر خاک پران مرغوش
Some fool begins to chase the shadow, running (after it) so far that he becomes powerless (exhausted),
ابلهی صیاد آن سایه شود ** میدود چندان که بیمایه شود
Not knowing that it is the reflexion of that bird in the air, not knowing where is the origin of the shadow.
بیخبر کان عکس آن مرغ هواست ** بیخبر که اصل آن سایه کجاست
He shoots arrows at the shadow; his quiver is emptied in seeking (to shoot it):420
تیر اندازد به سوی سایه او ** ترکشش خالی شود از جستجو
The quiver of his life became empty: his life passed in running hotly in chase of the shadow.
ترکش عمرش تهی شد عمر رفت ** از دویدن در شکار سایه تفت
(But) when the shadow of God is his nurse, it delivers him from (every) phantom and shadow.
سایهی یزدان چو باشد دایهاش ** وارهاند از خیال و سایهاش
The shadow of God is that servant of God who is dead to this world and living through God.
سایهی یزدان بود بندهی خدا ** مرده او زین عالم و زندهی خدا
Lay hold of his skirt most quickly without misgiving, that you may be saved in the skirt (end) of the last days (of the world).
دامن او گیر زودتر بیگمان ** تا رهی در دامن آخر زمان