How many a one has gone as far as Syria and ‘Iráq and has seen nothing but unbelief and hypocrisy;
ای بسا کس رفته تا شام و عراق ** او ندیده هیچ جز کفر و نفاق
And how many a one has gone as far as India and Hirá (Herát) and seen nothing but selling and buying;
وی بسا کس رفته تا هند و هری ** او ندیده جز مگر بیع و شری
And how many a one has gone as far as Turkistán and China and seen nothing but deceit and hidden guile!2375
وی بسا کس رفته ترکستان و چین ** او ندیده هیچ جز مکر و کمین
Since he has no object of perception save colour and perfume (external phenomena), let him seek (through) all the climes, (he will see nothing spiritual).
چون ندارد مدرکی جز رنگ و بو ** جمله‌ی اقلیمها را گو بجو
(If) a cow come suddenly into Baghdád and pass from this side (of the city) to that (farther) side,
گاو در بغداد آید ناگهان ** بگذرد او زین سران تا آن سران
Of all (its) pleasures and joys and delights she will see nothing but the rind of a water-melon.
از همه عیش و خوشیها و مزه ** او نبیند جز که قشر خربزه
(If) straw or hay has fallen on the road, (it is) suitable to his (such a one's) bovine or asinine disposition.
که بود افتاده بر ره یا حشیش ** لایق سیران گاوی یا خریش
(Hanging) dry on the nail of (his bestial) nature, like strips of meat (exposed to the sun), his spirit, bound with (the cords of) secondary causes, does not grow;2380
خشک بر میخ طبیعت چون قدید ** بسته‌ی اسباب جانش لا یزید
But the spacious realm where means and causes are torn to shreds (transcended) is the earth of God, O most honourable sire.
وان فضای خرق اسباب و علل ** هست ارض الله ای صدر اجل
It is ever changing, like a (fleeting) picture: the spirit beholds in clairvoyance a world (appearing) anew and anew.
هر زمان مبدل شود چون نقش جان ** نو به نو بیند جهانی در عیان