The action is (manifested) on the pillars, while the thought (that produces it) is concealed; but the two are combined in the correlation of cause and effect.
فعل بر ارکان و فکرت مکتتم ** لیک در تاثیر و وصلت دو به هم
The forms (ideas) that arise at a banquet from the festive cup have as their result unconsciousness and senselessness.
آن صور در بزم کز جام خوشیست ** فایده‌ی او بی‌خودی و بیهشیست
The forms (ideas) of man and woman and (amorous) sport and sexual intercourse—hinc nascitur perturbatio animi in coitu. [The forms (ideas) of man and woman and (amorous) sport and sexual intercourse—their result at the time of sexual union (is mental) distraction.]
صورت مرد و زن و لعب و جماع ** فایده‌ش بی‌هوشی وقت وقاع
The (material) form of bread and salt, which is a benefit (conferred by God), has as its result (bodily) strength, which is formless.
صورت نان و نمک کان نعمتست ** فایده‌ش آن قوت بی‌صورتست
On the battle-field the (material) form of sword and shield has as its result a formless thing, i.e. victory.3735
در مصاف آن صورت تیغ و سپر ** فایده‌ش بی‌صورتی یعنی ظفر
(Attendance at) college and learning and the (various) forms thereof are (all) done with, as soon as they have reached (their goal, namely) knowledge.
مدرسه و تعلیق و صورت‌های وی ** چون به دانش متصل شد گشت طی
Since these forms are the slaves of the Formless, why, then, are they denying their Benefactor?
این صور چون بنده‌ی بی‌صورتند ** پس چرا در نفی صاحب‌نعمتند
These forms have their existence from the Formless: what means, then, their denial of Him who brought them into existence?
این صور دارد ز بی‌صورت وجود ** چیست پس بر موجد خویشش جحود
His (the sceptic's) disbelief is really manifested by Him: in truth this act of his is naught but a reflexion.
خود ازو یابد ظهور انکار او ** نیست غیر عکس خود این کار او
Know that the form of the walls and roof of every dwelling-place is a shadow (reflexion) of the thought of the architect,3740
صورت دیوار و سقف هر مکان ** سایه‌ی اندیشه‌ی معمار دان