(But) a King (so) exceedingly grand and illimitable—how should He be contained in a beer jug, O asses?
پادشاهی بس عظیمی بیکران ** در فقاعی کی بگنجد ای خران
They knitted a net for the King; (yet) after all, they (had) learnt this contrivance from Him.
از برای شاه دامی دوختند ** آخر این تدبیر از او آموختند
Ill-starred is the pupil that begins rivalry with his master and comes forward (to contend with him).
نحس شاگردی که با استاد خویش ** همسری آغازد و آید به پیش
With what master? The master of the world, to whom the manifest and the occult are alike;
با کدام استاد استاد جهان. ** پیش او یکسان هویدا و نهان
Whose eyes have become seeing by the light of God and have rent the veils of ignorance.1580
چشم او ینظر بنور الله شده ** پردههای جهل را خارق بده
(Making) a veil of (his) heart, (which is as) full of holes as an old blanket, he (the disciple) puts it on in the presence of that Sage.
از دل سوراخ چون کهنه گلیم ** پردهای بندد به پیش آن حکیم
The veil laughs at him with a hundred mouths, every mouth having become a slit (open) to that (master). [The veil laughs at him with a hundred mouths, every mouth having become (like) a slit (vulva) in the thighs (of a woman).]
پرده میخندد بر او با صد دهان ** هر دهانی گشته اشکافی بر آن
The master says to the disciple, "O you who are less than a dog, have you no faithfulness to me?
گوید آن استاد مر شاگرد را ** ای کم از سگ نیستت با من وفا
Even suppose I am not a master and an iron-breaker, suppose I am a disciple like yourself and blind of heart,
خود مرا استا مگیر آهن گسل ** همچو خود شاگرد گیر و کوردل
Have not you help in spirit and mind from me? Without me no water is set flowing for you.1585
نه از منت یاری است در جان و روان ** بیمنت آبی نمیگردد روان