He praised the water, but he had no longing (for it); he tore his face and raiment, but he was no lover. آب را بستود و او تایق نبود ** رخ درید و جامه او عاشق نبود
The excuse made by the hypocrite was bad, not good, because it was (only) on their lips, not in their hearts. از منافق عذر رد آمد نه خوب ** زانک در لب بود آن نه در قلوب
He (the hypocrite) has the smell of the apple, but no part of the apple (itself); and in him (even) the smell is only for the purpose of (coming into) contact (with the true believers). بوی سیبش هست جزو سیب نیست ** بو درو جز از پی آسیب نیست
The charge of a woman in battle does not break the (hostile) ranks; nay, her plight becomes pitiable. حملهی زن در میان کارزار ** نشکند صف بلک گردد کارزار
Though you see her take the sword (and fight) like a lion amidst the ranks, (yet) her hand trembles. 2460 گرچه میبینی چو شیر اندر صفش ** تیغ بگرفته همیلرزد کفش
Alas for him whose reason is female, while his wicked fleshly soul is male and ready (to gratify its lust)! وای آنک عقل او ماده بود ** نفس زشتش نر و آماده بود
Of necessity, his reason is vanquished: his movement is towards naught but perdition. لاجرم مغلوب باشد عقل او ** جز سوی خسران نباشد نقل او
Oh, blest is that one whose reason is male, while his wicked fleshly soul is female and helpless; ای خنک آن کس که عقلش نر بود ** نفس زشتش ماده و مضطر بود
Whose particular (individual) reason is male and dominant, (so that) his intellect deprives the female fleshly soul (of power to do mischief). عقل جزویاش نر و غالب بود ** نفس انثی را خرد سالب بود
The attack of the female, too, is bold in appearance; her defect, as (in the case of) that ass, arises from asininity. 2465 حملهی ماده به صورت هم جریست ** آفت او همچو آن خر از خریست
The animal nature prevails in woman, because she has an inclination towards colour and scent. وصف حیوانی بود بر زن فزون ** زانک سوی رنگ و بو دارد رکون
(When) the ass heard of the colour and scent of the meadow, all arguments (in favour of trust in God) disgusted him. رنگ و بوی سبزهزار آن خر شنید ** جمله حجتها ز طبع او رمید
The thirsty man wanted rain, and there was no cloud; the fleshly soul was ravenously hungry, and there was no self-restraint. تشنه محتاج مطر شد وابر نه ** نفس را جوع البقر بد صبر نه
Self-restraint is an iron shield, O father: upon the shield (of self-restraint) God hath written (the words), “Victory will come.” اسپر آهن بود صبر ای پدر ** حق نبشته بر سپر جاء الظفر
The imitator brings forward a hundred proofs in his exposition, (but) he speaks (gives) them from ratiocination, not from immediate experience. 2470 صد دلیل آرد مقلد در بیان ** از قیاسی گوید آن را نه از عیان
He is tinctured with musk, but he is not musk: he has the scent of musk, but he is only dung. مشکآلودست الا مشک نیست ** بوی مشکستش ولی جز پشک نیست
In order that a piece of dung may become musk, O disciple, one must browse for years in that (spiritual) garden. تا که پشکی مشک گردد ای مرید ** سالها باید در آن روضه چرید
One must not eat straw and barley, like asses: browse on arghawán, like the musk-deer in Khutan. که نباید خورد و جو همچون خران ** آهوانه در ختن چر ارغوان
Do not browse on aught but clove, jasmine, or roses: go to the plain of Khutan in company with those (saintly) personages. جز قرنفل یا سمن یا گل مچر ** رو به صحرای ختن با آن نفر
Accustom your belly to the sweet basil and the rose, that you may gain the wisdom and (spiritual) food of the prophets. 2475 معده را خو کن بدان ریحان و گل ** تا بیابی حکمت و قوت رسل
Break your belly of its habit of (eating) this straw and barley: begin to eat the sweet basil and the rose. خوی معده زین که و جو باز کن ** خوردن ریحان و گل آغاز کن
The corporeal belly leads to the straw-barn; the spiritual belly leads to the sweet basil. معدهی تن سوی کهدان میکشد ** معدهی دل سوی ریحان میکشد
Whoever feeds on straw and barley becomes a sacrifice (qurbán); whoever feeds on the Light of God becomes the Qur’án. هر که کاه و جو خورد قربان شود ** هر که نور حق خورد قرآن شود
Beware! Half of you is musk and half is dung. Beware! Do not increase the dung, increase the Chinese musk. نیم تو مشکست و نیمی پشک هین ** هین میفزا پشک افزا مشک چین
The imitator brings on to his tongue a hundred proofs and explanations, but he has no soul. 2480 آن مقلد صد دلیل و صد بیان ** در زبان آرد ندارد هیچ جان