How is there no trace in thee of that which thou sayest and describest, O exalted one?”
زانک می‌گویی و شرحش می‌کنی ** چون نشانی در تو نامد ای سنی
Parable of the camel, explaining that when some one tells of his good fortune and you do not perceive in him any appearance or sign of welfare, there is reason to suspect that he is an imitator therein (of those who have really attained to spiritual felicity).
مثل آوردن اشتر در بیان آنک در مخبر دولتی فر و اثر آن چون نبینی جای متهم داشتن باشد کی او مقلدست در آن
A certain man asked a camel, “Hey, whence comest thou, O thou whom fortune attends?2440
آن یکی پرسید اشتر را که هی ** از کجا می‌آیی ای اقبال پی
He replied, “From the hot-bath in thy street.” Said the other, “Truly, ’tis manifest in (the state of) thy knees!”
گفت از حمام گرم کوی تو ** گفت خود پیداست در زانوی تو
(When) Pharaoh, the obstinate rebel, saw Moses' snake, he begged for a respite and showed meekness.
مار موسی دید فرعون عنود ** مهلتی می‌خواست نرمی می‌نمود
The men of intelligence said, “This man (Pharaoh) ought to have been fiercer, since he is the Lord of the Judgement.
زیرکان گفتند بایستی که این ** تندتر گشتی چو هست او رب دین
Whether the miracle was a dragon or a snake, what has become of the pride and wrath proper to his divinity?
معجزه‌گر اژدها گر مار بد ** نخوت و خشم خدایی‌اش چه شد
If he is the Supreme Lord seated on the throne, what is this blandishment on account of a single worm?”2445
رب اعلی گر ویست اندر جلوس ** بهر یک کرمی چیست این چاپلوس
So long as your fleshly soul is intoxicated with the dessert and date-wine (of sensuality), know that your spirit has not beheld the cluster belonging to the World Unseen,
نفس تو تا مست نقلست و نبید ** دانک روحت خوشه‌ی غیبی ندید
For the signs of that vision of the Light are (consist in) your withdrawal from the abode of delusion.
که علاماتست زان دیدار نور ** التجافی منک عن دار الغرور
Since the bird is frequenting a briny (piece of) water, it has not seen (found) help (for its thirst) in the sweet water;
مرغ چون بر آب شوری می‌تند ** آب شیرین را ندیدست او مدد