- That (saint) who is lesser than this lamp is our lamp-niche: the Light has gradations in degree, 820
- و انکه زین قندیل کم مشکات ماست ** نور را در مرتبه ترتیبهاست
- Because the Light of God has seven hundred veils: regard the veils of the Light as so many tiers.
- ز انکه هفصد پرده دارد نور حق ** پردههای نور دان چندین طبق
- Behind each veil a certain class (of saints) has its place of abode: these veils of theirs are (in ascending order), rank by rank, up to the Imám.
- از پس هر پرده قومی را مقام ** صف صفاند این پردههاشان تا امام
- Those in the last (lowest) rank, through their weakness, (are such that) their eyes cannot endure the light in front (of them);
- اهل صف آخرین از ضعف خویش ** چشمشان طاقت ندارد نور بیش
- And that front rank, from weakness of sight, cannot support the light that is more advanced.
- و آن صف پیش از ضعیفی بصر ** تاب نارد روشنایی بیشتر
- The light that is the life of the first (highest rank) is heartache and tribulation to this squinter; 825
- روشنیی کاو حیات اول است ** رنج جان و فتنهی این احول است
- (But) the squintnesses, little by little, grow less, and when he passes beyond the seven hundred (veils), he becomes the Sea.
- احولیها اندک اندک کم شود ** چون ز هفصد بگذرد او یم شود
- The fire that does good to iron or gold—how is it good for fresh quinces and apples?
- آتشی کاصلاح آهن یا زر است ** کی صلاح آبی و سیب تر است
- The apple and quince have (only) a slight crudity: unlike iron, they want a gentle heat;
- سیب و آبی خامیی دارد خفیف ** نه چو آهن تابشی خواهد لطیف
- But those flames are (too) gentle for the iron, for it is (eagerly) drawing to (itself) the heat of that (fiery) dragon.
- لیک آهن را لطیف آن شعلههاست ** کاو جذوب تابش آن اژدهاست