Many a mind (strong and firm) as a mountain did He uproot; the cunning bird He hung up by its two feet.
بس دل چون کوه را انگیخت او ** مرغ زیرک با دو پا آویخت او
To sharpen the intelligence and wits is not the (right) way: none but the broken (in spirit) wins the favour of the King.
فهم و خاطر تیز کردن نیست راه ** جز شکسته می‌‌نگیرد فضل شاه
Oh, many the amassers of treasure, digging holes (in search of treasure), who became an ox's beard (dupe) to that vain schemer (the vizier)!
ای بسا گنج آگنان کنج کاو ** کان خیال اندیش را شد ریش گاو
Who is the ox that you should become his beard? What is earth that you should become its stubble?
گاو که بود تا تو ریش او شوی ** خاک چه بود تا حشیش او شوی
When a woman became pale-faced (ashamed) of (her) wickedness, God metamorphosed her and made her Zuhra (the planet Venus).535
چون زنی از کار بد شد روی زرد ** مسخ کرد او را خدا و زهره کرد
To make a woman Zuhra was metamorphosis: is it not metamorphosis to become earth and clay, O contumacious one?
عورتی را زهره کردن مسخ بود ** خاک و گل گشتن نه مسخ است ای عنود
Your spirit was bearing you towards the highest sphere (of heaven): you went towards the water and the clay amongst the lowest (of the low).
روح می‌‌بردت سوی چرخ برین ** سوی آب و گل شدی در اسفلین
By this fall you metamorphosed yourself from that (state of) existence which was the envy of the (spiritual) intelligences.
خویشتن را مسخ کردی زین سفول ** ز آن وجودی که بد آن رشک عقول
Consider, then, how is (what is the character of) this metamorphosis: compared with that metamorphosis (of the woman) this (which you have suffered) is exceedingly vile.
پس ببین کین مسخ کردن چون بود ** پیش آن مسخ این به غایت دون بود
You urged the steed of ambition towards the stars: you did not acknowledge Adam who was worshipped (by the angels).540