How long will you steal portions of the lore of the Book, in order that your face may be coloured like an apple?
چند دزدی عشر از علم کتاب ** تا شود رویت ملون همچو سیب
How long will you steal the words of the men of God, that you may sell (them) and obtain applause (from the crowd)?
چند دزدی حرف مردان خدا ** تا فروشی و ستانی مرحبا
The daubed-on colour never made you (really) rosy; the tied-on bough never performed the function of the (fruit-bearing) stump (from which the dates are cut off).
رنگ بر بسته ترا گلگون نکرد ** شاخ بر بسته فن عرجون نکرد
At last, when the veil of death comes over you, these bits of the Book drop away from your face.
عاقبت چون چادر مرگت رسد ** از رخت این عشرها اندر فتد
When the call comes to arise and depart, thereafter (all) the arts of disputation vanish.1285
چونک آید خیزخیزان رحیل ** گم شود زان پس فنون قال و قیل
The world of silence comes into view. Stop (talking)! Alas for him that hath not a familiarity (with silence) within him!
عالم خاموشی آید پیش بیست ** وای آنک در درون انسیش نیست
Polish your breast (heart) for a day or two: make that mirror your book (of meditation),
صیقلی کن یک دو روزی سینه را ** دفتر خود ساز آن آیینه را
For from (seeing) the reflexion of the imperial Joseph old Zalíkhá became young anew.
که ز سایهی یوسف صاحبقران ** شد زلیخای عجوز از سر جوان
The chilly temperature of “the old woman's cold spell” is changed (into heat) by the sun of Tamúz (July).
میشود مبدل به خورشید تموز ** آن مزاح بارد برد العجوز
A dry-lipped bough is changed into a flourishing palm-tree by the burning (anguish) of a Mary.1290
میشود مبدل بسوز مریمی ** شاخ لب خشکی به نخلی خرمی