(As when) a black ant (moves along) on a black felt cloth: the ant is hidden (from view), (only) the grain is visible on its way,
مور اسود بر سر لبد سیاه ** مور پنهان دانه پیدا پیش راه
(But) Reason says, “Look well to your eye: when does a grain ever go along without a grain-bearer?”
عقل گوید چشم را نیکو نگر ** دانه هرگز کی رود بی دانه‌بر
(’Twas) on this account (that) the dog came to the Companions (of the Cave): the (outward) forms are (like) the grains, while the heart (spirit) is (like) the ant.
زین سبب آمد سوی اصحاب کلب ** هست صورتها حبوب و مور قلب
Hence Jesus goes (ascends) to the holy ones of Heaven: the cages (bodies) were diverse, (but) the young birds (spirits) were of the same kind.
زان شود عیسی سوی پاکان چرخ ** بد قفس‌ها مختلف یک جنس فرخ
This cage is visible, but the young bird in it is hidden (from sight): how should the cage be moving without a cage-carrier?2965
این قفس پیدا و آن فرخش نهان ** بی‌قفس کش کی قفس باشد روان
Oh, blessed is the eye that is ruled by reason, (the eye) that discerns the end and is wise and cool.
ای خنک چشمی که عقلستش امیر ** عاقبت‌بین باشد و حبر و قریر
Get (learn) the distinction between evil and good from reason, not from the eye that tells (only) of black and white.
فرق زشت و نغز از عقل آورید ** نی ز چشمی کز سیه گفت و سپید
The eye is beguiled by the verdure on dunghills, (but) reason says, “Put it to my touchstone.”
چشم غره شد به خضرای دمن ** عقل گوید بر محک ماش زن
The eye that sees (only) its (object of) desire is the bird's bane; reason, which sees the trap, is the bird's means of deliverance.
آفت مرغست چشم کام‌بین ** مخلص مرغست عقل دام‌بین
(But) there was another trap which reason did not perceive; hence the inspiration which beholds the unseen sped in this direction.2970
دام دیگر بد که عقلش در نیافت ** وحی غایب‌بین بدین سو زان شتافت