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
Nay, its faith is (mere) imitation: its spirit has never seen the face of faith.
بلک تقلیدست آن ایمان او ** روی ایمان را ندیده جان او