If the adulterated coin had seen the end in regard to itself, it would have become at first the black (thing) which it became in the end.
قلب اگر در خویش آخربین بدی ** آن سیه که آخر شد او اول شدی
Since (in that case) it would have become black at first, in confrontation (with the genuine coin) it would have been far from duplicity and damnation.
چون شدی اول سیه اندر لقا ** دور بودی از نفاق و از شقا
It would have sought the elixir of (Divine) grace; its reason would have prevailed over its hypocrisy.
کیمیای فضل را طالب بدی ** عقل او بر زرق او غالب بدی
Since it would have become broken-hearted on account of its (evil) state, it would have seen before it Him who mends them that are broken.1685
چون شکسته‌دل شدی از حال خویش ** جابر اشکستگان دیدی به پیش
(When) it saw the end and became broken (contrite), it was at once bandaged by the Bone-setter.
عاقبت را دید و او اشکسته شد ** از شکسته‌بند در دم بسته شد
The (Divine) grace impelled the pieces of copper towards the elixir; the gilt (coin) remained deprived of (Divine) bounty.
فضل مسها را سوی اکسیر راند ** آن زراندود از کرم محروم ماند
O gilt one, do not make pretensions: recognise that thy purchaser will not (always) remain so blind.
ای زراندوده مکن دعوی ببین ** که نماند مشتریت اعمی چنین
The light of the place of congregation (at the Last Judgement) will cause their (the purchasers') eyes to see and will expose thy blindfolding (of them).
نور محشر چشمشان بینا کند ** چشم بندی ترا رسوا کند
Look at those who have seen the end: they are the amazement of souls and the envy of the eye.1690
بنگر آنها را که آخر دیده‌اند ** حسرت جانها و رشک دیده‌اند
Look at those who have seen (only) the present: their inmost self is corrupt; they are radically decapitated (cut off from the Truth).
بنگر آنها را که حالی دیده‌اند ** سر فاسد ز اصل سر ببریده‌اند