These material motes, O profitable man, are visible in the presence of this material sun.
هست این ذرات جسمی ای مفید ** پیش این خورشید جسمانی پدید
(So too) the motes consisting of ideas and thought are manifest in the presence of the Sun of Realities.
هست ذرات خواطر و افتکار ** پیش خورشید حقایق آشکار
Story of the fowler who had wrapped himself in grass and drawn over his head a handful of roses and red anemones, like a cap, in order that the birds might think he was grass. The clever bird had some little notion that he was (really) a man, and said (to itself), “I have never seen grass of this shape”; but it did not wholly apprehend (the truth) and was deceived by his guile, because at the first view it had no decisive argument, (whereas) on its second view of the trick it had a decisive argument, namely, cupidity and greed, (which are) especially (potent) at the time of excessive want and poverty. The Prophet—God bless and save him!—has said that poverty is almost infidelity.
حکایت آن صیادی کی خویشتن در گیاه پیچیده بود و دسته‌ی گل و لاله را کله‌وار به سر فرو کشیده تا مرغان او را گیاه پندارند و آن مرغ زیرک بوی برد اندکی کی این آدمیست کی برین شکل گیاه ندیدم اما هم تمام بوی نبرد به افسون او مغرور شد زیرا در ادراک اول قاطعی نداشت در ادراک مکر دوم قاطعی داشت و هو الحرص و الطمع لا سیما عند فرط الحاجة و الفقر قال النبی صلی الله علیه و سلم کاد الفقر ان یکون کفرا
A bird went into a meadow: there was a trap (set) for the purpose of fowling.435
رفت مرغی در میان مرغزار ** بود آنجا دام از بهر شکار
Some grain had been placed on the ground, and the fowler was ensconced there in ambush.
دانه‌ی چندی نهاده بر زمین ** وآن صیاد آنجا نشسته در کمین
He had wrapped himself in leaves and grass, that the wretched prey might slip off from the path (of safety).
خویشتن پیچیده در برگ و گیاه ** تا در افتد صید بیچاره ز راه
A little bird approached him in ignorance (of his disguise): then it hopped round and ran up to the man,
مرغک آمد سوی او از ناشناخت ** پس طوافی کرد و پیش مرد تاخت
And said to him, “Who are you, clad in green in the desert amidst (all) these wild animals?”
گفت او را کیستی تو سبزپوش ** در بیابان در میان این وحوش
He replied, “I am an ascetic severed (from mankind): I have become content (to live) here with some grass.440
گفت مرد زاهدم من منقطع ** با گیاهی گشتم اینجا مقتنع
I adopted asceticism and piety as my religion and practice because I saw before me the appointed end of my life.
زهد و تقوی را گزیدم دین و کیش ** زانک می‌دیدم اجل را پیش خویش
My neighbour's death had given me warning and upset my (worldly) business and shop.
مرگ همسایه مرا واعظ شده ** کسب و دکان مرا برهم زده
Since I shall be left alone at the last, it behoves me not to become friendly with every man and woman.
چون به آخر فرد خواهم ماندن ** خو نباید کرد با هر مرد و زن
I shall turn my face to the grave at the last: ’tis better that I should make friends with the One (God).
رو بخواهم کرد آخر در لحد ** آن به آید که کنم خو با احد
Since my jaw will (ultimately) be bound up, O worshipful one, ’tis better that I should jaw little (now).445
چو زنخ را بست خواهند ای صنم ** آن به آید که زنخ کمتر زنم
O thou who hast learned to wear a gold-embroidered robe and a belt, at the last there is (only) the unsewn garment for thee (to wear).
ای بزربفت و کمر آموخته ** آخرستت جامه‌ی نادوخته
We shall turn our faces to the earth whence we have sprung: why (then) have we fixed our hearts on creatures devoid of constancy (permanence)?
رو به خاک آریم کز وی رسته‌ایم ** دل چرا در بی‌وفایان بسته‌ایم
The four ‘natures’ are our ancestors and kinsfolk from of old, (yet) we have fixed our hopes on a borrowed (temporary) kinship.
جد و خویشانمان قدیمی چار طبع ** ما به خویشی عاریت بستیم طمع
During (many) years the body of Man had companionship and intimacy with the elements.
سالها هم‌صحبتی و هم‌دمی ** با عناصر داشت جسم آدمی
His spirit, indeed, is from the (world of) souls and intelligences, (but) the spirit has forsaken its origins.450
روح او خود از نفوس و از عقول ** روح اصول خویش را کرده نکول
From the pure souls and intelligences there is coming to the spirit a letter, saying, ‘O faithless one,
از عقول و از نفوس پر صفا ** نامه می‌آید به جان کای بی‌وفا
Thou hast found (some) miserable five-day friends and hast turned thy face away from thy friends of old.’
یارکان پنج روزه یافتی ** رو ز یاران کهن بر تافتی
Although the children are happy in their play, (yet) at nightfall they are dragged off and taken home.
کودکان گرچه که در بازی خوشند ** شب کشانشان سوی خانه می‌کشند
At play-time the little child strips: suddenly the thief carries off his coat and shoes.
شد برهنه وقت بازی طفل خرد ** دزد از ناگه قبا و کفش برد
He is so hotly engaged in play that his cap and shirt are forgotten.455
آن چنان گرم او به بازی در فتاد ** کان کلاه و پیرهن رفتش ز یاد
Night falls, and his play becomes helpless (impossible): he has not the face to go home.
شد شب و بازی او شد بی‌مدد ** رو ندارد کو سوی خانه رود
Have not you heard (the Verse) the present life is only a play? You have squandered your goods and have become afraid.
نی شنیدی انما الدنیا لعب ** باد دادی رخت و گشتی مرتعب