What is skin? Specious words, like ripples on water which have no continuance.
پوست چه بود گفتهای رنگ رنگ ** چون زره بر آب کش نبود درنگ
Know that these words are as the skin (rind), and the meaning is (as) the kernel; these words are as the form, and the meaning is like the spirit.
این سخن چون پوست و معنی مغز دان ** این سخن چون نقش و معنی همچو جان
The skin hides the defect of the bad kernel; it (also) hides jealously the secrets of the good kernel.
پوست باشد مغز بد را عیب پوش ** مغز نیکو را ز غیرت غیب پوش
When the pen is of wind and the scroll of water, whatever you write perishes speedily;
چون قلم از باد بد دفتر ز آب ** هر چه بنویسی فنا گردد شتاب
It is written on water: if you seek constancy from it, you will return biting your hands (in disappointment).1100
نقش آب است ار وفا جویی از آن ** باز گردی دستهای خود گزان
The wind in men is vanity and desire; when you have abandoned vanity, (then) is (the time for) the message from Him (God).
باد در مردم هوا و آرزوست ** چون هوا بگذاشتی پیغام هوست
Sweet are the messages of the Maker, for it (that message) from head to foot (from first to last) is enduring.
خوش بود پیغامهای کردگار ** کاو ز سر تا پای باشد پایدار
The khutbas for kings change (and pass), and their empire; (all will pass) except the empire and khutbas (insignia) of the prophets,
خطبهی شاهان بگردد و آن کیا ** جز کیا و خطبههای انبیا
Because the pomp of kings is from (earthly) vanity, (while) the glorious privilege of the prophets is from (Divine) Majesty.
ز آن که بوش پادشاهان از هواست ** بار نامهی انبیا از کبریاست
The names of kings are removed from the dirhems, (but) the name of Ahmad (Mohammed) is stamped on them for ever.1105
از درمها نام شاهان بر کنند ** نام احمد تا ابد بر میزنند
The name of Ahmad is the name of all the prophets: when the hundred comes (is counted), ninety is with us as well.
نام احمد نام جمله انبیاست ** چون که صد آمد نود هم پیش ماست
Further setting forth the stratagem of the hare.
هم در بیان مکر خرگوش
The hare made much delay in going; he rehearsed to himself the tricks (which he was about to play).
در شدن خرگوش بس تاخیر کرد ** مکر را با خویشتن تقریر کرد
After long delay he came on (took) the road, that he might say one or two secrets into the ear of the lion.
در ره آمد بعد تاخیر دراز ** تا به گوش شیر گوید یک دو راز
Think what words are in the core (inmost consciousness) of Reason.
تا چه عالمهاست در سودای عقل ** تا چه با پهناست این دریای عقل
In this sweet ocean our forms are moving fast, like cups on the surface of water:1110
صورت ما اندر این بحر عذاب ** میدود چون کاسهها بر روی آب
Until they become full, (they float) like bowls on the top of the sea, (but) when the bowl is filled it sinks therein.
تا نشد پر بر سر دریا چو طشت ** چون که پر شد طشت در وی غرق گشت
Reason is hidden, and (only) a world (of phenomena) is visible: our forms are the waves or a spray of it (of that hidden ocean).
عقل پنهان است و ظاهر عالمی ** صورت ما موج یا از وی نمی
Whatsoever (thing) the form makes (uses as) a means of approach to It (to Reason), by that (same) means the ocean (of Reason) casts it (the form) far away.
هر چه صورت می وسیلت سازدش ** ز آن وسیلت بحر دور اندازدش
So long as the heart does not see the Giver of (its) conscience, so long as the arrow does not see the far-shooting Archer,
تا نبیند دل دهندهی راز را ** تا نبیند تیر دور انداز را
He (who is thus blind) thinks his horse is lost, though (all the while) he is obstinately speeding his horse on the road.1115
اسب خود را یاوه داند وز ستیز ** میدواند اسب خود در راه تیز
That fine fellow thinks his horse is lost, while the horse in truth is sweeping him onward like the wind.
اسب خود را یاوه داند آن جواد ** و اسب خود او را کشان کرده چو باد
In lamentation and inquiry that scatterbrain (runs) from door to door in every direction, asking and searching:
در فغان و جستجو آن خیرهسر ** هر طرف پرسان و جویان دربدر
“Where and who is he that stole my horse?” What is this (animal) under thy thigh, O master?
کان که دزدید اسب ما را کو و کیست ** این که زیر ران تست ای خواجه چیست
“Yes, this is the horse, but where is this horse?” O dexterous rider in search of thy horse, come to thyself!
آری این اسب است لیک این اسب کو ** با خود آ ای شهسوار اسب جو
The Spirit is lost (to view) because of its being so manifest and near: how, having thy belly full of water, art thou dry-lipped like a jar?1120
جان ز پیدایی و نزدیکی است گم ** چون شکم پر آب و لب خشکی چو خم