The cat became intent on (watching) the (mouse)-hole because she had (formerly) provisioned herself from that hole.
گربه بر سوراخ زان شد معتکف ** که از آن سوراخ او شد معتلف
Another cat prowls on the roof because she (formerly) obtained food by preying on birds.
گربهی دیگر همیگردد به بام ** کز شکار مرغ یابید او طعام
One man's qibla (object of attention) is the weaver's craft, while another is a guardsman for the sake of the (king's) allowance;
آن یکی را قبله شد جولاهگی ** وآن یکی حارس برای جامگی
And another is unemployed, his face (turned) towards (the world of) non-spatiality because Thou (formerly) gavest him spiritual food from that quarter.585
وان یکی بیکار و رو در لامکان ** که از آن سو دادیش تو قوت جان
He has the (real) work who has become desirous of God and for His work's sake has severed himself from every (other) work.
کار او دارد که حق را شد مرید ** بهر کار او ز هر کاری برید
The rest are like children playing, these few days, till the departure at nightfall.
دیگران چون کودکان این روز چند ** تا شب ترحال بازی میکنند
The drowsy one who awakes and springs up, him the nurse, evil suggestion, beguiles,
خوابناکی کو ز یقظت میجهد ** دایهی وسواس عشوهش میدهد
Saying, “Go to sleep, my darling, for I will not let any one arouse thee from (thy heedless) slumber.”
رو بخسپ ای جان که نگذاریم ما ** که کسی از خواب بجهاند ترا
You yourself (if you are wise) will tear up your slumber by the roots, like the thirsty man who heard the noise of the water.590
هم تو خود را بر کنی از بیخ خواب ** همچو تشنه که شنود او بانک آب
(God says to you), “I am the noise of the water in the ears of the thirsty: I am coming like rain from heaven.
بانگ آبم من به گوش تشنگان ** همچو باران میرسم از آسمان