This parable is like an intermediary in the discourse: an intermediary is required for the apprehension of the vulgar.
این مثل چون واسطه‌ست اندر کلام ** واسطه شرطست بهر فهم عام
Without an intermediary, how should any one go into the fire, except (one like) the salamander?—for he is independent of the connecting link.
اندر آتش کی رود بی‌واسطه ** جز سمندر کو رهید از رابطه
You need the hot bath as an intermediary, so that you may refresh your constitution by (the heat of) the fire.230
واسطه‌ی حمام باید مر ترا ** تا ز آتش خوش کنی تو طبع را
Since you cannot go into the fire, like Khalíl (Abraham), the hot bath has become your Apostle, and the water your guide.
چون نتانی شد در آتش چون خلیل ** گشت حمامت رسول آبت دلیل
Satiety is from God, but how should the unclean attain unto satiety without the mediation of bread?
سیری از حقست لیک اهل طبع ** کی رسد بی‌واسطه‌ی نان در شبع
Beauty is from God, but the corporealist does not feel (the charm of) beauty without the veil (medium) of the garden.
لطف از حقست لیکن اهل تن ** درنیابد لطف بی‌پرده‌ی چمن
When the bodily medium is removed, (then) he (who is disembodied) perceives without (any) screen, like Moses, the light of the Moon (shining) from (his own) bosom.
چون نماند واسطه‌ی تن بی‌حجاب ** هم‌چو موسی نور مه یابد ز جیب
These virtues possessed by the water bear witness likewise that its interior is filled with the grace of God.235
این هنرها آب را هم شاهدست ** که اندرونش پر ز لطف ایزدست
The testimony of external acts and words to the hidden mind and the inner light.
گواهی فعل و قول بیرونی بر ضمیر و نور اندرونی
Act and word are witnesses to the hidden mind: from these twain infer the inward state.
فعل و قول آمد گواهان ضمیر ** زین دو بر باطن تو استدلال گیر
When your thought does not penetrate within, inspect the patient's urine from without.
چون ندارد سیر سرت در درون ** بنگر اندر بول رنجور از برون