Through phantasy that one becomes the waylayer (destroyer) of him who has escaped (unhurt); and through phantasy this (other) becomes the salve (deliverer) of him who has been (sorely) wounded.
از خیال آن ره‌زن رسته شده ** وز خیال این مرهم خسته شده
One loses his soul in the invocation of demons, while another sets his foot upon the stars.
در پری‌خوانی یکی دل کرده گم ** بر نجوم آن دیگری بنهاده سم
He (the observer) sees that these modes of action in the external world are diverse (since they arise) from the various phantasies within.325
این روشها مختلف بیند برون ** زان خیالات ملون ز اندرون
This man (engaged in some occupation) is amazed at that man (occupied with something else) and says, “What is he about?” Every taster denies the other (whose taste is different).
این در آن حیران شده کان بر چیست ** هر چشنده آن دگر را نافیست
Unless those phantasies were incongruous, how did the modes of action become diverse externally?
آن خیالات ار نبد نامتلف ** چون ز بیرون شد روشها مختلف
Since the qibla (the true object) of the soul has been hidden, every one has turned his face to a (different) quarter.
قبله‌ی جان را چو پنهان کرده‌اند ** هر کسی رو جانبی آورده‌اند
Comparison of the different practices and the various aspirations (of mankind) to the disagreement of those who at prayer-time endeavour to find the qibla (direction of Mecca) when it is dark, and to the search of divers (for pearls) at the bottom of the sea.
تمثیل روشهای مختلف و همتهای گوناگون به اختلاف تحری متحریان در وقت نماز قبله را در وقت تاریکی و تحری غواصان در قعر بحر
(They are) like folk trying to find (the direction of the Ka‘ba) and (each) turning in a certain direction which they fancy is the qibla:
هم‌چو قومی که تحری می‌کنند ** بر خیال قبله سویی می‌تنند
When at dawn the Ka‘ba appears, it is discovered who has lost the (right) way;330
چونک کعبه رو نماید صبحگاه ** کشف گردد که کی گم کردست راه
Or like divers under the depth of the (sea)-water, every one (of whom) picks up something in haste:
یا چو غواصان به زیر قعر آب ** هر کسی چیزی همی‌چیند شتاب
In hope of (getting) precious jewels and pearls, they fill their bags with that and this;
بر امید گوهر و در ثمین ** توبره پر می‌کنند از آن و این