Do not regard the yellow leaves of this tree, (but) pick its ripe apples.
زین درخت آن برگ زردش را مبین ** سیبهای پختهی او را بچین
How, in sooth, are its yellow leaves void (of worth)? This is the sign of maturity and perfection.
برگهای زرد او خود کی تهیست ** این نشان پختگی و کاملیست
The yellow leaf of the (elder's) beard and his white hair bring tidings of joy on account of his mature intelligence.
برگ زرد ریش و آن موی سپید ** بهر عقل پخته میآرد نوید
The newly-arrived green-coloured leaves signify that this fruit is unripe.
برگهای نو رسیدهی سبزفام ** شد نشان آنک آن میوهست خام
The provision of leaflessness (spiritual poverty) is the sign of being a gnostic; the yellowness of gold is the (cause of the) money-changer's ruddiness of face (cheerful countenance).2055
برگ بیبرگی نشان عارفیست ** زردی زر سرخ رویی صارفیست
If he that (still) is rosy-cheeked has fresh down (on his face), (yet) he has just begun to learn writing in the school of knowledge.
آنک او گل عارضست ار نو خطست ** او به مکتب گاه مخبر نوخطست
The letters of his handwriting are very crooked (misshapen): he is a cripple in respect of intelligence, though his body moves with agility.
حرفهای خط او کژمژ بود ** مزمن عقلست اگر تن میدود
Although an old man's feet are deprived of rapid movement, his intelligence has gotten two wings and has sped to the zenith.
پای پیر از سرعت ار چه باز ماند ** یافت عقل او دو پر بر اوج راند
If you wish for an example (of this), look at Ja‘far: God gave him wings instead of hands and feet.
گر مثل خواهی به جعفر در نگر ** داد حق بر جای دست و پاش پر
Cease from (speaking of) gold (pallor), for this topic is recondite: this heart of mine has become agitated like quicksilver.2060
بگذر از زر کین سخت شد محتجب ** همچو سیماب این دلم شد مضطرب