تا چه عالمهاست در سودای عقل ** تا چه با پهناست این دریای عقل‌‌

Think what words are in the core (inmost consciousness) of Reason.

صورت ما اندر این بحر عذاب ** می‌‌دود چون کاسه‌‌ها بر روی آب‌‌ 1110

In this sweet ocean our forms are moving fast, like cups on the surface of water:

تا نشد پر بر سر دریا چو طشت ** چون که پر شد طشت در وی غرق گشت‌‌

Until they become full, (they float) like bowls on the top of the sea, (but) when the bowl is filled it sinks therein.

عقل پنهان است و ظاهر عالمی ** صورت ما موج یا از وی نمی‌‌

Reason is hidden, and (only) a world (of phenomena) is visible: our forms are the waves or a spray of it (of that hidden ocean).

هر چه صورت می وسیلت سازدش ** ز آن وسیلت بحر دور اندازدش‌‌

Whatsoever (thing) the form makes (uses as) a means of approach to It (to Reason), by that (same) means the ocean (of Reason) casts it (the form) far away.

تا نبیند دل دهنده‌‌ی راز را ** تا نبیند تیر دور انداز را

So long as the heart does not see the Giver of (its) conscience, so long as the arrow does not see the far-shooting Archer,

اسب خود را یاوه داند وز ستیز ** می‌‌دواند اسب خود در راه تیز 1115

He (who is thus blind) thinks his horse is lost, though (all the while) he is obstinately speeding his horse on the road.

اسب خود را یاوه داند آن جواد ** و اسب خود او را کشان کرده چو باد

That fine fellow thinks his horse is lost, while the horse in truth is sweeping him onward like the wind.

در فغان و جستجو آن خیره‌‌سر ** هر طرف پرسان و جویان دربدر

In lamentation and inquiry that scatterbrain (runs) from door to door in every direction, asking and searching:

کان که دزدید اسب ما را کو و کیست ** این که زیر ران تست ای خواجه چیست‌‌

“Where and who is he that stole my horse?” What is this (animal) under thy thigh, O master?