Dryness of lip is a message from the water (to say) that this agitation (anxious search) will certainly bring thee to the water,
خشکی لب هست پیغامی ز آب ** که بمات آرد یقین این اضطراب
For this seeking is a blessed motion; this search is a killer of obstacles on the Way to God.
کین طلب‌کاری مبارک جنبشیست ** این طلب در راه حق مانع کشیست
This search is the key to the things sought by thee; this (search) is thy army and the victory of thy banners.
این طلب مفتاح مطلوبات تست ** این سپاه و نصرت رایات تست
This search is like a cock crowing and proclaiming that the dawn is at hand.
این طلب همچون خروسی در صیاح ** می‌زند نعره که می‌آید صباح
Although thou hast no equipment, do thou be ever seeking: equipment is not necessary on the Way of the Lord.1445
گرچه آلت نیستت تو می‌طلب ** نیست آلت حاجت اندر راه رب
Whomsoever thou seest engaged in search, O son, become his friend and cast thy head before him,
هر که را بینی طلب‌کار ای پسر ** یار او شو پیش او انداز سر
For through being the neighbour of the seekers thou (thyself) wilt become a seeker, and from the shadows (protection) of the conquerors thou (thyself) wilt become a conqueror.
If an ant has sought (to attain) the rank of Solomon, do not look languidly (contemptuously) on its quest.
گر یکی موری سلیمانی بجست ** منگر اندر جستن او سست سست
Everything that thou hast of wealth and (skill in) a handicraft (or profession)— was it not at first a quest and a thought?
هرچه داری تو ز مال و پیشه‌ای ** نه طلب بود اول و اندیشه‌ای
Story of the person who in the time of David, on whom be peace, used to pray night and day, crying, “Give me a lawful livelihood without trouble (on my part).”
حکایت آن شخص کی در عهد داود شب و روز دعا می‌کرد کی مرا روزی حلال ده بی رنج
In the time of the prophet David a certain man, beside every sage and before every simpleton,1450
آن یکی در عهد داوود نبی ** نزد هر دانا و پیش هر غبی