Now look on us and them in clear view, and recognise (each party) by voice and speech.’
این زمان ما را و ایشان را عیان ** در نگر بشناس از لحن و بیان
If you hear a secret from a friend at midnight, you will know that it was he when he speaks (to you again) at dawn;3000
نیم شب چون بشنوی رازی ز دوست ** چون سخن گوید سحر دانی که اوست
And if two persons bring news to you in the night, you will recognise both of them in the daytime by their (manner of) speaking.
ور دو کس در شب خبر آرد ترا ** روز از گفتن شناسی هر دو را
(If) during the night the sound of a lion and the sound of a dog have come (into some one's ear) and he has not seen their forms on account of the darkness,
بانگ شیر و بانگ سگ در شب رسید ** صورت هر دو ز تاریکی ندید
When day breaks and they begin to make (the same) sound again, the intelligent (hearer) will know them by the sound (which they make).
روز شد چون باز در بانگ آمدند ** پس شناسدشان ز بانگ آن هوشمند
The upshot is this, that both the Devil and the (angelic) Spirit who present (objects of desire to us) exist for the purpose of completing (actualising) the power of choice.
مخلص این که دیو و روح عرضه‌دار ** هر دو هستند از تتمه‌ی اختیار
There is an invisible power of choice within us; when it sees two (alternative) objects of desire it waxes strong.3005
اختیاری هست در ما ناپدید ** چون دو مطلب دید آید در مزید
Teachers beat (school-)children: how should they inflict that correction upon a black stone?
اوستادان کودکان را می‌زنند ** آن ادب سنگ سیه را کی کنند
Do you ever say to a stone, ‘Come to-morrow; and if you don't come, I will give your bad behaviour the punishment it deserves’?
هیچ گویی سنگ را فردا بیا ** ور نیایی من دهم بد را سزا
Does any reasonable man strike a brickbat? Does any one reprove a stone?
هیچ عاقل مر کلوخی را زند ** هیچ با سنگی عتابی کس کند