- 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
- Hence, because of the accursed Devil, the imitator is in great danger from the road and the brigand; 2450
- پس خطر باشد مقلد را عظیم ** از ره و ره‌زن ز شیطان رجیم
- (But) when he beholds the Light of God, he becomes safe: he is at rest from the agitations of doubt.
- چون ببیند نور حق آمن شود ** ز اضطرابات شک او ساکن شود
- The sea-foam (scum) is (always) in collision till it comes to the earth (land) which is its origin.
- تا کف دریا نیاید سوی خاک ** که اصل او آمد بود در اصطکاک
- The foam (scum) is earthly: it is an exile in the water: in exile agitation is inevitable.
- خاکی است آن کف غریبست اندر آب ** در غریبی چاره نبود ز اضطراب
- When his (the imitator's) eye is opened and he reads those characters (of Reality), the Devil hath no power over him any more.
- چونک چشمش باز شد و آن نقش خواند ** دیو را بر وی دگر دستی نماند
- Although the ass spoke of (spiritual) mysteries to the fox, he spoke superficially and like an imitator. 2455
- گرچه با روباه خر اسرار گفت ** سرسری گفت و مقلدوار گفت
- He praised the water, but he had no longing (for it); he tore his face and raiment, but he was no lover.
- آب را بستود و او تایق نبود ** رخ درید و جامه او عاشق نبود
- The excuse made by the hypocrite was bad, not good, because it was (only) on their lips, not in their hearts.
- از منافق عذر رد آمد نه خوب ** زانک در لب بود آن نه در قلوب