- Lifetimes are needed—(so) rarely and occasionally (does it happen)—for the seeing man to fall by destiny into the pit.
- عمرها باید به نادر گاه‌گاه ** تا که بینا از قضا افتد به چاه
- As regards the blind man, this destiny in sooth is his companion on the way; for ‘tis his nature and disposition to fall.
- کور را خود این قضا همراه اوست ** که مرورا اوفتادن طبع و خوست
- He falls into the filth and does not know what the smell is; (he asks himself), “Is this smell from me or from (my) being polluted?” 335
- در حدث افتد نداند بوی چیست ** از منست این بوی یا ز آلودگیست
- And likewise, if any one sprinkle some musk over him, he thinks it (comes) from himself and not from the kindness of his friend.
- ور کسی بر وی کند مشکی نثار ** هم ز خود داند نه از احسان یار
- Therefore to you, O man of vision, two clear eyes are (as) a hundred mothers and a hundred fathers;
- پس دو چشم روشن ای صاحب‌نظر ** مر ترا صد مادرست و صد پدر
- Especially the eye of the heart (the spiritual eye), which is seventy-fold and of which these two sensible eyes are (only) the gleaners.
- خاصه چشم دل آن هفتاد توست ** وین دو چشم حس خوشه‌چین اوست
- Oh, alas, the highwaymen are seated (and lying in wait for me): they have tied a hundred knots beneath my tongue.
- ای دریغا ره‌زنان بنشسته‌اند ** صد گره زیر زبانم بسته‌اند
- How should the smooth-paced horse move well, when his leg is tied? This is a very heavy chain: hold me excused! 340
- پای‌بسته چون رود خوش راهوار ** بس گران بندیست این معذور دار
- These words (of mine) are coming (forth) brokenly, O heart; for these words are pearls, and (the Divine) jealousy is the mill (which breaks them);
- این سخن اشکسته می‌آید دلا ** کین سخن درست غیرت آسیا
- (But), though the pearls be broken into small fragments, they become tutty (collyrium) for the sore eye (of the spirit).
- در اگر چه خرد و اشکسته شود ** توتیای دیده‌ی خسته شود