(Both) Ahmad (Mohammed) and Bú Jahl went into the idol- temple; (but) there is a great difference between this going and that going.
احمد و بوجهل در بتخانه رفت ** زین شدن تا آن شدن فرقیست زفت
This one (Mohammed) enters, the idols lay down their heads before him; that one (Bú Jahl) enters and lays down his head (before the idols), like the peoples (of old).
این در آید سر نهند او را بتان ** آن در آید سر نهد چون امتان
This world, (which is) associated with lust, is an idol-temple: it is a nest (abode) for the prophets and the infidels (alike),
این جهان شهوتی بتخانه‌ایست ** انبیا و کافران را لانه‌ایست
But lust is the slave of holy men: gold does not burn (in the fire), because it is sterling coin from the mine.
لیک شهوت بنده‌ی پاکان بود ** زر نسوزد زانک نقد کان بود
The infidels are alloy, while the holy men are as (pure) gold: both these (classes of) persons are within this crucible.820
کافران قلب‌اند و پاکان هم‌چو زر ** اندرین بوته درند این دو نفر
When the alloy came (into the crucible), it became black at once; (when) the gold came in, its goldenness was made manifest.
قلب چون آمد سیه شد در زمان ** زر در آمد شد زری او عیان
The gold gladly cast (itself with) hands and feet into the crucible: its vein (original nature) laughs in the face of the fire.
دست و پا انداخت زر در بوته خوش ** در رخ آتش همی خندد رگش
Our body is our veil in the world: we are like a sea hidden beneath this straw.
جسم ما روپوش ما شد در جهان ** ما چو دریا زیر این که در نهان
O fool, do not regard the king of the (true) Religion as clay; for the accursed Iblís took this view (of Adam).
شاه دین را منگر ای نادان بطین ** کین نظر کردست ابلیس لعین
How is it possible to daub this sun with a handful of earth? Pray, tell me (that)!825
کی توان اندود این خورشید را ** با کف گل تو بگو آخر مرا