The buttermilk has not (yet) taken (the form of) butter and is old: lay it (in store) and do not squander it till you pick out (the butter from it).
دوغ روغن ناگرفتست و کهن ** تا بنگزینی بنه خرجش مکن
Hark, turn it knowingly from hand to hand (side to side), that it may reveal that which it has hidden;
هین بگردانش به دانش دست دست ** تا نماید آنچ پنهان کرده است
For this perishable (body) is a proof of the everlasting (spirit): the maundering of the intoxicated is a proof of (the existence of) the Cupbearer.3050
زآنک این فانی دلیل باقیست ** لابه‌ی مستان دلیل ساقیست
Another parable on the same subject.
مثال دیگر هم درین معنی
The gambols of the lion on the banner are indicative of winds concealed (from view).
هست بازیهای آن شیر علم ** مخبری از بادهای مکتتم
If there were not the movement of those winds, how would the dead lion leap into the air?
گر نبودی جنبش آن بادها ** شیر مرده کی بجستی در هوا
By that (means) you know whether the wind is the east-wind or the westwind: this (movement of the lion) is the explanation of that occult matter.
زان شناسی باد را گر آن صباست ** یا دبورست این بیان آن خفاست
This body is like the lion on the banner: thought is causing it to move continually.
این بدن مانند آن شیر علم ** فکر می‌جنباند او را دم به دم
The thought that comes from the east is (as) the (refreshing) east-wind, and that which (comes) from the west is (as) the west-wind fraught with pestilence.3055
فکر کان از مشرق آید آن صباست ** وآنک از مغرب دبور با وباست
The east of this wind of thought is different; the west of this wind of thought is from Yonder side.
مشرق این باد فکرت دیگرست ** مغرب این باد فکرت زان سرست
The moon is inanimate, and its east is inanimate: the heart's east is the soul of the soul of Soul.
مه جمادست و بود شرقش جماد ** جان جان جان بود شرق فاد
The east of that Sun which illumines the inward part—the sun of day is (only) the husk and reflexion thereof;
شرق خورشیدی که شد باطن‌فروز ** قشر و عکس آن بود خورشید روز
For when the body is dead (and) without the (vital) flame, neither day nor night appears to it;
زآنک چون مرده بود تن بی‌لهب ** پیش او نه روز بنماید نه شب
But though it (the flame) be not (there), (yet) when this (spiritual Sun) is (present) in perfection, it (the Sun) maintains itself intact without night and day,3060
ور نباشد آن چو این باشد تمام ** بی‌شب و بی روز دارد انتظام
Just as the eye, without moon and sun, sees moon and sun in dream.
هم‌چنانک چشم می‌بیند به خواب ** بی‌مه و خورشید ماه و آفتاب
Since our sleep is the brother of death, O such and such, know (the difference of) that brother from this brother.
نوم ما چون شد اخ الموت ای فلان ** زین برادر آن برادر را بدان
And if they tell thee that that is the branch (derivative) of this, do not hear (believe) it, O follower of authority, without (having) certain knowledge.
ور بگویندت که هست آن فرع این ** مشنو آن را ای مقلد بی‌یقین
During sleep thy spirit is beholding the representation of a state (of things) which thou wilt not behold, whilst thou art awake, in twenty years,
می‌بیند خواب جانت وصف حال ** که به بیداری نبینی بیست سال
And thou art running, for (whole) lifetimes, to the sagacious (spiritual) kings in quest of the interpretation thereof,3065
در پی تعبیر آن تو عمرها ** می‌دوی سوی شهان با دها
Saying, “Tell (me), what is the interpretation of that dream?” To call such a mystery a “branch” is currishness.
که بگو آن خواب را تعبیر چیست ** فرع گفتن این چنین سر را سگیست
This is the sleep of the vulgar; but truly the sleep of the elect is the root of (their) privilege and election.
خواب عامست این و خود خواب خواص ** باشد اصل اجتبا و اختصاص
There must needs be the elephant, in order that, when he sleeps supinely, he may dream of the land of Hindustán.
پیل باید تا چو خسپد او ستان ** خواب بیند خطه‌ی هندوستان
The ass does not dream of Hindustán at all: the ass has never journeyed from Hindustán to a foreign country.
خر نبیند هیچ هندستان به خواب ** خر ز هندستان نکردست اغتراب