- But ’twas a very topsy-turvy (mystifying) game in the path of every one doomed to perdition or blessed with salvation. 425
- لیک لعب بازگونه بود سخت ** پیش پای هر شقی و نیکبخت
- Whoever went into the fire and sparks was emerging from the midst of the water;
- هر که در آتش همی رفت و شرر ** از میان آب بر می‌کرد سر
- Whoever went from the middle towards the water, he was at once found to be in the fire;
- هر که سوی آب می‌رفت از میان ** او در آتش یافت می‌شد در زمان
- Whoever went towards the right (hand) and the limpid water would put forth his head from the fire on the left;
- هر که سوی راست شد و آب زلال ** سر ز آتش بر زد از سوی شمال
- And he who went towards the fiery left, would emerge on the right.
- وانک شد سوی شمال آتشین ** سر برون می‌کرد از سوی یمین
- Few were they who hit upon (understood) the mystery of this occult (matter); consequently, seldom would any one go into the fire; 430
- کم کسی بر سر این مضمر زدی ** لاجرم کم کس در آن آتش شدی
- (None would go) except him upon whom felicity was shed, so that he abandoned the water and took refuge in the fire.
- جز کسی که بر سرش اقبال ریخت ** کو رها کرد آب و در آتش گریخت
- The people made the pleasure that was actually present their object of worship; consequently the people were swindled by this game.
- کرده ذوق نقد را معبود خلق ** لاجرم زین لعب مغبون بود خلق
- Troop by troop and rank by rank, (they were) on their guard against the fire and fleeing greedily and in haste towards the water.
- جوق‌جوق وصف صف از حرص و شتاب ** محترز ز آتش گریزان سوی آب
- Of necessity, they lifted up their heads (emerged) from (amidst) the fire. Take warning, take warning, O heedless man!
- لاجرم ز آتش برآوردند سر ** اعتبارالاعتبار ای بی‌خبر