(If) the heart be not there, how can the body talk and speak? (If) the heart seek not, how can the body seek and search?
دل نباشد، تن چه داند گفتوگو ** دل نجوید، تن چه داند جستجو
Therefore the theatre of the (Divine) rays is that iron; therefore the theatre of God is the heart, not the body.
پس نظرگاه شعاع آن آهن است ** پس نظرگاه خدا دل نی تن است
Again, these partial (individual) hearts are as the body in relation to the heart of the man of heart (the perfect saint), which is the original source.
باز این دلهای جزوی چون تن است ** با دل صاحب دلی کاو معدن است
This argument wants much illustration and exposition, but I fear lest the opinion of the vulgar should stumble (and fall into error),840
بس مثال و شرح خواهد این کلام ** لیک ترسم تا نلغزد وهم عام
(And) lest my goodness should be turned (by them) to badness;—even this that I have spoken was (from) naught but selflessness.
تا نگردد نیکویی ما بدی ** اینکه گفتم هم نبد جز بیخودی
The crooked shoe is better for the crooked foot; the beggar's power reaches only as far as the door.
پای کج را کفش کج بهتر بود ** مر گدا را دستگه بر در بود
How the King made trial of the two slaves whom he had recently purchased.
امتحان پادشاه به آن دو غلام که نو خریده بود
A King bought two slaves cheap, and conversed with one of the twain.
پادشاهی دو غلام ارزان خرید ** با یکی ز آن دو سخن گفت و شنید
He found him quick-witted and answering sweetly: what issues from the sugar-lip? Sugar-water.
یافتش زیرک دل و شیرین جواب ** از لب شکر چه زاید شکر آب
Man is concealed underneath his tongue: this tongue is the curtain over the gate of the soul.845
آدمی مخفی است در زیر زبان ** این زبان پرده است بر درگاه جان
When a gust of wind has rolled up the curtain, the secret of the interior of the house is disclosed to us,
چون که بادی پرده را در هم کشید ** سر صحن خانه شد بر ما پدید