Unless (the intermediary be) a cloud (that) becomes naughted in the Way (to God) in order that it may not be a veil to the face of the Moon.
یا مگر ابری شود فانی راه ** تا نگردد او حجاب روی ماه
In the aspect of lá (self-negation) it (such a cloud) displays His (the Moon's) form, like the bodies of the prophets and saints.
صورتش بنماید او در وصف لا ** هم‌چو جسم انبیا و اولیا
Such a cloud is not veil-tying; it is in reality veil-tearing (and) salutary.705
آنچنان ابری نباشد پرده‌بند ** پرده‌در باشد به معنی سودمند
’Tis as when, on a bright morning, drops of rain were falling though there was no cloud above (in the sky).
آنچنان که اندر صباح روشنی ** قطره می‌بارید و بالا ابر نی
That water-skin was a miracle of the Prophet: from self-effacement the cloud (which replenished it) had become of the same colour as the sky.
معجزه‌ی پیغامبری بود آن سقا ** گشته ابر از محو هم‌رنگ سما
The cloud was (there), but the cloud-nature had gone from it: the body of the lover (of God) becomes like this by means of renunciation.
بود ابر و رفته از وی خوی ابر ** این چنین گردد تن عاشق به صبر
It is body, but corporeality has vanished from it: it has been transfigured, colour and perfume have gone from it.
تن بود اما تنی گم گشته زو ** گشته مبدل رفته از وی رنگ و بو
(My) feathers are for the sake of others, while (my) head is for my own sake: (the head which is) the abode of hearing and sight is the pillar (support) of the body.710
پر پی غیرست و سر از بهر من ** خانه‌ی سمع و بصر استون تن
Know that to sacrifice the spirit for the sake of catching others is absolute infidelity and despair of good.
جان فدا کردن برای صید غیر ** کفر مطلق دان و نومیدی ز خیر
Beware! Do not be like sugar before parrots; nay, be a poison, be secure from loss;
هین مشو چون قند پیش طوطیان ** بلک زهری شو شو آمن از زیان