Bodily eating and drinking is the obstacle to this (spiritual) eating and drinking: the spirit is like a merchant, while the body is like a highwayman.
خوردن تن مانع این خوردنست ** جان چو بازرگان و تن چون ره‌زنست
(Only) at the time when the highwayman is consumed like firewood is the candle of the spirit resplendent;3610
شمع تاجر آنگهست افروخته ** که بود ره‌زن چو هیزم سوخته
For thou art (in reality) that (spiritual) intelligence, and (all) the rest (of thee) is a mask concealing the intelligence. Do not lose thy (real) self, do not strive in vain!
که تو آن هوشی و باقی هوش‌پوش ** خویشتن را گم مکن یاوه مکوش
Know that every sensual desire is like wine and beng: it is a veil over the intelligence, and thereby the rational man is stupefied.
دانک هر شهوت چو خمرست و چو بنگ ** پرده‌ی هوشست وعاقل زوست دنگ
The intoxication of the intelligence is not (caused by) wine alone: whatsoever is sensual shuts the (spiritual) eye and ear.
خمر تنها نیست سرمستی هوش ** هر چه شهوانیست بندد چشم و گوش
Iblís was far removed from wine-drinking: he was drunken with pride and unbelief.
آن بلیس از خمر خوردن دور بود ** مست بود او از تکبر وز جحود
The drunken man is he who sees that which is not: (to him) what is (really) a piece of copper or iron appears to be gold.3615
مست آن باشد که آن بیند که نیست ** زر نماید آنچ مس و آهنیست
This discourse hath no end. (God said), “O Moses, move thy lips, that the herbage may spring forth.”
این سخن پایان ندارد موسیا ** لب بجنبان تا برون روژد گیا
He (Moses) did so, and immediately the earth became green with hyacinths and costly grains.
هم‌چنان کرد و هم اندر دم زمین ** سبز گشت از سنبل و حب ثمین
That folk fell to (eating) the food, since they had suffered famine and were (almost) dead from ravenous hunger.
اندر افتادند در لوت آن نفر ** قحط دیده مرده از جوع البقر