- In the shoemaker’s shop there is fine leather: if you see wood (there), it is (only) the mould for the shoe.
- در دکان کفشگر چرمست خوب ** قالب کفش است اگر بینی تو چوب
- The drapers have (in their shops) silk and dun-coloured cloth: if iron be (there), it is (only to serve) for a yard-measure.
- پیش بزازان قز و ادکن بود ** بهر گز باشد اگر آهن بود
- Our Mathnawi is the shop for Unity: anything that you see (there) except the One God) is (only) an idol.
- مثنوی ما دکان وحدتست ** غیر واحد هرچه بینی آن بتست
- Know that to praise an idol for the purpose of ensnaring the vulgar is just like (the Prophet’s reference to) “the most exalted Cranes.”
- بت ستودن بهر دام عامه را ** هم‌چنان دان کالغرانیق العلی
- He recited it those words) quickly in the Súra (entitled) Wa’l-Najm, but it was a temptation (of the Devil), it was not (really) part of the Súra. 1530
- خواندش در سوره‌ی والنجم زود ** لیک آن فتنه بد از سوره نبود
- Thereupon all the infidels prostrated themselves (in worship): ‘twas a mystery (of Divine Wisdom), too, that they knocked their heads upon the door.
- جمله کفار آن زمان ساجد شدند ** هم سری بود آنک سر بر در زدند
- After this there is a perplexing and abstruse argument stay with Solomon and do not stir up the demons!
- بعد ازین حرفیست پیچاپیچ و دور ** با سلیمان باش و دیوان را مشور
- Hark, relate the story of the Súfí and the Cadi and the offender who was (so) feeble and wretchedly ill.
- هین حدیث صوفی و قاضی بیار ** وان ستمکار ضعیف زار زار
- The Cadi said (to the Súfí), “Make the roof firm, O son, in order that I may decorate it with good and evil.
- گفت قاضی ثبت العرش ای پسر ** تا برو نقشی کنم از خیر و شر
- Where is the assailant? Where is that which is subject to vengeance? This man in (consequence of) sickness has become a (mere) phantom. 1535
- کو زننده کو محل انتقام ** این خیالی گشته است اندر سقام