(If) thou canst not tear out thy feathers, go, adopt (a life of) solitude, that thou mayst not be entirely squandered (consumed) by that one and this one;
پر نتانی کند رو خلوت گزین ** تا نگردی جمله خرج آن و این
For thou art both the morsel (of food) and the eater of the morsel: thou art the devourer and the devoured. Apprehend (this), O (dear) soul!
زآنک تو هم لقمه‌ای هم لقمه‌خوار ** آکل و ماکولی ای جان هوش‌دار
Explaining that everything except God is devouring and devoured, like the bird that was in pursuit of a locust and occupied in chasing it and oblivious of the hungry hawk behind its own back, that was about to seize it. Now, O hunting and devouring man, be not secure against thine own hunter and devourer. Though with the sight of the (physical) eye thou seest him not, (yet) see him with the eye of serious consideration till the opening of the eye of the inmost heart (oculus cordis).
در بیان آنک ما سوی الله هر چیزی آکل و ماکولست هم‌چون آن مرغی کی قصد صید ملخ می‌کرد و به صید ملخ مشغول می‌بود و غافل بود از باز گرسنه کی از پس قفای او قصد صید او داشت اکنون ای آدمی صیاد آکل از صیاد و آکل خود آمن مباش اگر چه نمی‌بینیش به نظر چشم به نظر دلیل و عبرتش می‌بین تا چشم نیز باز شدن
A little bird was hunting a worm: a cat found its opportunity and seized it.
مرغکی اندر شکار کرم بود ** گربه فرصت یافت او را در ربود
It (the bird) was a devourer and a thing devoured, and (being engrossed) in its hunting was ignorant of another hunter.720
آکل و ماکول بود و بی‌خبر ** در شکار خود ز صیادی دگر
Although the thief is (engaged) in hunting articles of property, (yet) the prefect of police with (the thief's) enemies is behind him (on his track).
دزد گرچه در شکار کاله‌ایست ** شحنه با خصمانش در دنباله‌ایست
His mind is occupied with chattels and lock and door: he is heedless of the prefect and of the outcry (that will arise) at dawn.
عقل او مشغول رخت و قفل و در ** غافل از شحنه‌ست و از آه سحر
He is so absorbed in his passion (for gain) he gives no heed to his seekers and pursuers.
او چنان غرقست در سودای خود ** غافلست از طالب و جویای خود
If the herbage is drinking pure water, (yet) afterwards an animal's belly will feed on it.
گر حشیش آب و هوایی می‌خورد ** معده‌ی حیوانش در پی می‌چرد
That grass is devouring and devoured: even so (is) everything that exists except God.725
آکل و ماکول آمد آن گیاه ** هم‌چنین هر هستیی غیر اله
Since He is (the subject of the text) and He feedeth you and is not fed, God is not devouring and devoured, (like) flesh and skin.
و هو یطعمکم و لا یطعم چو اوست ** نیست حق ماکول و آکل لحم و پوست