In this (realm of) existence and corruption, O master, existence is the fraud and that corruption is the admonition.
اندرین کون و فساد ای اوستاد ** آن دغل کون و نصیحت آن فساد
Existence says, “Come, I am delectable,” and its corruption says, “Go, I am nothing.”1595
کون می‌گوید بیا من خوش‌پیم ** وآن فسادش گفته رو من لا شی‌ام
O thou that bitest thy lip (in admiration) at the beauty of spring, look on the coldness and paleness of autumn.
ای ز خوبی بهاران لب گزان ** بنگر آن سردی و زردی خزان
In the daytime thou didst deem the countenance of the sun beauteous: remember its death in the moment of setting.
روز دیدی طلعت خورشید خوب ** مرگ او را یاد کن وقت غروب
Thou sawest the full-moon on this lovely firmament: observe also its anguish (caused by the loss of visibility) during the interlunar period.
بدر را دیدی برین خوش چار طاق ** حسرتش را هم ببین اندر محاق
A boy, on account of his beauty, became the lord of the people: after the morrow he became doting and exposed to the scorn of the people.
کودکی از حسن شد مولای خلق ** بعد فردا شد خرف رسوای خلق
If the body of those in the fresh bloom of youth has made thee a prey, after (it has come to) old age behold a body (bleached) like a cotton plantation.1600
گر تن سیمین‌تنان کردت شکار ** بعد پیری بین تنی چون پنبه‌زار
O thou who hast seen rich viands, arise and see the residue thereof in the latrine.
ای بدیده لوتهای چرب خیز ** فضله‌ی آن را ببین در آب‌ریز
Say to the filth, “Where is that beauty of thine—the savour and goodliness and (sweet) scent (which thou hadst) in the dish?”
مر خبث را گو که آن خوبیت کو ** بر طبق آن ذوق و آن نغزی و بو
It replies, “That (beauty) was the bait: I was its trap: since thou hast fallen a prey (to it), the bait has become hidden.”
گوید او آن دانه بد من دام آن ** چون شدی تو صید شد دانه نهان