همچو موشی هر طرف سوراخ کرد ** چون که نورش راند از در گشت سرد

Like a mouse, he has burrowed in every direction, since the light drove him (back) from the door (the entrance to the hole) and said, ‘Away!’

چون که سوی دشت و نورش ره نبود ** هم در آن ظلمات جهدی می‏نمود

Inasmuch as he had no way (of getting out) to the open country and the light, he continued to make (such) an exertion even in that darkness.

گر خدایش پر دهد پر خرد ** برهد از موشی و چون مرغان پرد

If God give him wings, the wings of Wisdom, he will escape from mousiness and will fly like the birds;

ور نجوید پر بماند زیر خاک ** ناامید از رفتن راه سماک‏ 2435

But if he seek not wings, he will remain underground with no hope of traversing the path to Simák.

علم گفتاری که آن بی‏جان بود ** عاشق روی خریداران بود

Dialectic knowledge, which is soulless, is in love with (eager for) the countenance of customers;

گر چه باشد وقت بحث علم زفت ** چون خریدارش نباشد مرد و رفت‏

(But) though it is robust at the time of disputation, it is dead and gone when it has no customer.

مشتری من خدای است او مرا ** می‏کشد بالا که الله اشتری‏

My purchaser is God: He is drawing me aloft, for God hath purchased.

خونبهای من جمال ذو الجلال ** خونبهای خود خورم کسب حلال‏

My bloodwit (the reward of my self-sacrifice) is the beauty of the Glorious One: I enjoy my bloodwit (as) lawful earnings.

این خریداران مفلس را بهل ** چه خریداری کند یک مشت گل‏ 2440

Abandon these insolvent customers: what purchase can be made by a handful of (worthless) clay?

گل مخور گل را مخر گل را مجو ** ز انکه گل خوار است دایم زرد رو

Do not eat clay, do not buy clay, do not seek clay, because the eater of clay is always pale-faced.