He deceives (all in) the city except the king: he cannot waylay the sagacious king.
شهر را بفریبد الا شاه را ** ره نتاند زد شه آگاه را
The fleshly soul hath glorification of God (on its tongue), and the Qur’án in its right hand; (but) in its sleeve (it hath) dagger and sword.
نفس را تسبیح و مصحف در یمین ** خنجر و شمشیر اندر آستین
Do not believe its Qur’án and hypocritical ostentation, do not make yourself its confidant and comrade;2555
مصحف و سالوس او باور مکن ** خویش با او هم‌سر و هم‌سر مکن
(For) it will take you to the tank to perform the ritual ablution, and will cast you to the bottom thereof.
سوی حوضت آورد بهر وضو ** واندر اندازد ترا در قعر او
The intellect is luminous and a seeker of good: how (then) does the dark fleshly soul prevail over it?
عقل نورانی و نیکو طالبست ** نفس ظلمانی برو چون غالبست
(It prevails) because it is at home, (while) your intellect is a stranger: the dog at his own door is (like) a terrible lion.
زانک او در خانه عقل تو غریب ** بر در خود سگ بود شیر مهیب
Wait till the lions go (back) to the jungle and these blind dogs’ will believe (in them) there.
باش تا شیران سوی بیشه روند ** وین سگان کور آنجا بگروند
The common folk of the city do not know the deceit of the fleshly soul and of the body: it (the fleshly soul) is not subdued save by (Divine) inspiration in the heart.2560
مکر نفس و تن نداند عام شهر ** او نگردد جز بوحی القلب قهر
Every one that is its congener becomes its friend, except, to be sure, the David who is your Shaykh;
هر که جنس اوست یار او شود ** جز مگر داود کان شیخت بود
For he has been transmuted, and whomsoever God hath seated in the abode of the heart, he( that person) is no more the body’s congener.
کو مبدل گشت و جنس تن نماند ** هر که را حق در مقام دل نشاند