- They attach themselves to a fire and circle round their own candle
- خویشتن بر آتشی برمی‌زنند ** گرد شمع خود طوافی می‌کنند
- In the hope of (gaining) the blessed fire of Moses, by the flame whereof the tree is made more green (flourishing).
- بر امید آتش موسی بخت ** کز لهیبش سبزتر گردد درخت
- Every troop (of them) has heard of the excellence of that fire, and all imagine that any spark is that (same fire).
- فضل آن آتش شنیده هر رمه ** هر شرر را آن گمان برده همه
- When the Light of Everlastingness rises at dawn, each (candle) reveals what (manner of) candle it was. 340
- چون برآید صبحدم نور خلود ** وا نماید هر یکی چه شمع بود
- Whosoever's wings were burnt by the candle of victory, that goodly candle bestows on him eighty wings;
- هر کرا پر سوخت زان شمع ظفر ** بدهدش آن شمع خوش هشتاد پر
- (But) beneath the bad candle many a moth, whose eyes were sealed, is left (lying) with burnt wings,
- جوق پروانه‌ی دو دیده دوخته ** مانده زیر شمع بد پر سوخته
- Quivering in sorrow and anguish, lamenting the vain desire that seals the eyes.
- می‌طپد اندر پشیمانی و سوز ** می‌کند آه از هوای چشم‌دوز
- Its candle says (to it), “Since I am burnt, how should I deliver thee from burning (grief) and oppression?”
- شمع او گوید که چون من سوختم ** کی ترا برهانم از سوز و ستم
- Its candle weeps, saying, “My head is consumed: how should I make another resplendent?” 345
- شمع او گریان که من سرسوخته ** چون کنم مر غیر را افروخته
- [Explanation of “Alas for the servants (of God)!”]
- تفسیر یا حسرة علی العباد
- It (the moth) says, “I was deceived by thy (outward) features and (too) late did I regard thy (inward) condition.”
- او همی گوید که از اشکال تو ** غره گشتم دیر دیدم حال تو