Let us speak Persian: the meaning is that this attraction (by which God draws the soul towards Himself) comes from the same quarter whence came that savour (spiritual delight experienced in and after prayer).
پارسی گوییم یعنی این کشش ** ز آن طرف آید که آمد آن چشش
The eyes of every set of people remain (turned) in the direction where one day they satisfied a (longing for) delight.
چشم هر قومی به سویی مانده است ** کان طرف یک روز ذوقی رانده است
The delight of (every) kind is certainly in its own kind (congener): the delight of the part, observe, is in its whole;
ذوق جنس از جنس خود باشد یقین ** ذوق جزو از کل خود باشد ببین
Or else, that (part) is surely capable of (attachment to) a (different) kind and, when it has attached itself thereto, becomes homogeneous with it,890
یا مگر آن قابل جنسی بود ** چون بدو پیوست جنس او شود
As (for instance) water and bread, which were not our congeners, became homogeneous with us and increased within us (added to our bulk and strength).
همچو آب و نان که جنس ما نبود ** گشت جنس ما و اندر ما فزود
Water and bread have not the appearance of being our congeners, (but) from consideration of the end (final result) deem them to be homogeneous (with us).
نقش جنسیت ندارد آب و نان ** ز اعتبار آخر آن را جنس دان
And if our delight is (derived) from something not homogeneous, that (thing) will surely resemble the congener.
ور ز غیر جنس باشد ذوق ما ** آن مگر مانند باشد جنس را
That which (only) bears a resemblance is a loan: a loan is impermanent in the end.
آن که مانند است باشد عاریت ** عاریت باقی نماند عاقبت
Although the bird is delighted by (the fowler's) whistle, it takes fright when it (sees him and) does not find its own congener.895
مرغ را گر ذوق آید از صفیر ** چون که جنس خود نیابد شد نفیر
Although the thirsty man is delighted by the mirage, he runs away when he comes up to it, and seeks for water.
تشنه را گر ذوق آید از سراب ** چون رسد در وی گریزد جوید آب