These (others) are not men, they are (mere) forms: they are dead with (desire for) bread and killed by appetite.
این نه مردانند اینها صورتند ** مرده‌ی نانند و کشته‌ی شهوتند
Story of the Christian ascetic who went about with a lamp in the daytime in the midst of the bazaar because of the ecstasy which he had (in his heart).
حکایت آن راهب که روز با چراغ می‌گشت در میان بازار از سر حالتی کی او را بود
That person was going about in a bazaar in the daytime with a candle, his heart full of love and (spiritual) ardour.
آن یکی با شمع برمی‌گشت روز ** گرد بازاری دلش پر عشق و سوز
A busybody said to him, “Hey, O such-and-such, what are you seeking beside every shop?
بوالفضولی گفت او را کای فلان ** هین چه می‌جویی به سوی هر دکان
Hey, why are you going about in search (of something) with a lamp in bright daylight? What is the joke?”
هین چه می‌گردی تو جویان با چراغ ** در میان روز روشن چیست لاغ
He replied, “I am searching everywhere for a man that is alive with the life inspired by that (Divine) Breath.2890
گفت می‌جویم به هر سو آدمی ** که بود حی از حیات آن دمی
Is there a man in existence?” “This bazaar,” said the other, “is full: surely they are men, O noble sage.”
هست مردی گفت این بازار پر ** مردمانند آخر ای دانای حر
He answered, “I want (one who is) a man on the two-wayed road—in the way of anger and at the time of desire.
گفت خواهم مرد بر جاده‌ی دو ره ** در ره خشم و به هنگام شره
Where is (one who is) a man at the moment of anger and at the moment of appetite? In search of (such) a man I am running from street to street.
وقت خشم و وقت شهوت مرد کو ** طالب مردی دوانم کو به کو
Where in the world is (one who is) a man on these two occasions, that I may devote my life to him to-day?”
کو درین دو حال مردی در جهان ** تا فدای او کنم امروز جان
“You are seeking a rare thing,” said he; “but you take no heed of the (Divine) ordinance and destiny. Consider well!2895
گفت نادر چیز می‌جویی ولیک ** غافل از حکم و قضایی بین تو نیک