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بشنو این نی چون شکایت می‌‌کند ** از جدایی‌‌ها حکایت می‌‌کند
Listen to this reed how it complains, telling a tale of separations––
کز نیستان تا مرا ببریده‌‌اند ** در نفیرم مرد و زن نالیده‌‌اند
Saying, “Ever since I was parted from the reed-bed, man and woman have moaned in (unison with) my lament.
سینه خواهم شرحه شرحه از فراق ** تا بگویم شرح درد اشتیاق
I want a bosom torn by severance, that I may unfold (to such a one) the pain of love-desire.
هر کسی کاو دور ماند از اصل خویش ** باز جوید روزگار وصل خویش
Every one who is left far from his source wishes back the time when he was united with it.
من به هر جمعیتی نالان شدم ** جفت بد حالان و خوش حالان شدم5
In every company I uttered my wailful notes, I consorted with the unhappy and with them that rejoice.
هر کسی از ظن خود شد یار من ** از درون من نجست اسرار من
Every one became my friend from his own opinion; none sought out my secrets from within me.
سر من از ناله‌‌ی من دور نیست ** لیک چشم و گوش را آن نور نیست
My secret is not far from my plaint, but ear and eye lack the light (whereby it should be apprehended).
تن ز جان و جان ز تن مستور نیست ** لیک کس را دید جان دستور نیست
Body is not veiled from soul, nor soul from body, yet none is permittd to see the soul."
آتش است این بانگ نای و نیست باد ** هر که این آتش ندارد نیست باد
This noise of the reed is fire, it is not wind: whoso hath not this fire, may he be naught!
آتش عشق است کاندر نی فتاد ** جوشش عشق است کاندر می فتاد10
’Tis the fire of Love that is in the reed, ’tis the fervour of Love that is in the wine.