هر کجا باشند جوق مرغ کور ** بر تو جمع آیند ای سیلاب شور
(But) wherever is a flock of blind birds, they will gather around thee, O brackish flood-water,
تا فزاید کوری از شورابها ** زانک آب شور افزاید عمی
That (their) blindness may be increased by (thy) brackish waters; for brackish water increases blindness.
اهل دنیا زان سبب اعمی‌دل‌اند ** شارب شورابه‌ی آب و گل‌اند 815
Hence the worldly are blind of heart: they are drinkers of the brackish water of clay.
شور می‌ده کور می‌خر در جهان ** چون نداری آب حیوان در نهان
Continue to give brackish water and buy (the favour of) the blind in the world, since thou hast not the Water of Life within thee.
با چنین حالت بقا خواهی و یاد ** هم‌چو زنگی در سیه‌رویی تو شاد
In such a (despicable) state (as has been described) thou wouldst fain live and be remembered: in blackness of face (shame and opprobrium), like a negro, thou art rejoicing.
در سیاهی زنگی زان آسوده است ** کو ز زاد و اصل زنگی بوده است
The negro in (his) blackness is pleased (with himself), for he has (always) been a negro by birth and nature;
آنک روزی شاهد و خوش‌رو بود ** گر سیه‌گردد تدارک‌جو بود
(But) he that (even) for a day is beloved and beautiful, if he become black, will seek to repair (the misfortune).
مرغ پرنده چو ماند در زمین ** باشد اندر غصه و درد و حنین 820
When the bird that can fly remains (helpless) on the earth, it is in anguish and grief and lamentation;
مرغ خانه بر زمین خوش می‌رود ** دانه‌چین و شاد و شاطر می‌دود
(But) the domestic fowl walks complacently on the earth: it runs about picking grain and happy and bold,
زآنک او از اصل بی‌پرواز بود ** وآن دگر پرنده و پرواز بود
Because by nature it was (always) without (the power of) flight, while the other (bird) was (naturally) a flier and open-winged.
قال النبی علیه‌السلام ارحموا ثلاثا عزیز قوم ذل و غنی قوم افتقر و عالما یلعب به الجهال
The Prophet, on whom be peace, said, “Pity three (classes of men): the mighty man of a people who is abased, and the rich man of a people who is impoverished, and a learned man whom the ignorant make sport of.”