Even if the skin (exterior) of the oyster-shell be damaged, do not curse it, for within it there are a hundred thousand pearls.
زان صدف گر خسته گردد نیز پوست ** ده مده که صد هزاران در دروست
This topic hath no end. Return to the King (God) and become endued with the nature of the falcon.
این سخن پایان ندارد بازگرد ** سوی شاه و هم‌مزاج بازگرد
Like pure gold, return to the mine, in order that your hands may be delivered from (the necessity of) giving the ten (fingers);
باز رو در کان چو زر ده‌دهی ** تا رهد دستان تو از ده‌دهی
(For) when they (worldlings) admit a phenomenal form into their hearts, in the end they curse it in contrition.
صورتی را چون بدل ره می‌دهند ** از ندامت آخرش ده می‌دهند
The repentance they show is like that of the moth: (soon) forgetfulness draws them back again to the (same) work.345
توبه می‌آرند هم پروانه‌وار ** باز نسیان می‌کشدشان سوی کار
Like the moth, he (such a one) deems the fire (seen) from a distance to be light, and packs off (sets out) towards it.
هم‌چو پروانه ز دور آن نار را ** نور دید و بست آن سو بار را
As soon as he comes (to the fire), it burns his wings, and he flees; and (then) again he falls, like (greedy) children (in a hurry), and spills the salt.
چون بیامد سوخت پرش را گریخت ** باز چون طفلان فتاد و ملح ریخت
Once more, thinking and hoping to profit, he quickly dashes himself on the fire of that candle.
بار دیگر بر گمان طمع سود ** خویش زد بر آتش آن شمع زود
Once more he is scorched and recoils; (then) again the greed of his heart makes him forgetful and intoxicated.
بار دیگر سوخت هم واپس بجست ** باز کردش حرص دل ناسی و مست
At the moment when he recoils on being scorched, he gives the ten (fingers), like the Hindú (slave), to the candle,350
آن زمان کز سوختن وا می‌جهد ** هم‌چو هندو شمع را ده می‌دهد