مشرق و مغرب چو تو بس دیده‌اند ** که سر ایشان ز تن ببریده‌اند

East and West have seen many like thee, whose heads have been severed from their bodies.

مشرق و مغرب که نبود بر قرار ** چون کنند آخر کسی را پایدار

After all, how should East and West, which are not permanent, make any one enduring?

تو بدان فخر آوری کز ترس و بند ** چاپلوست گشت مردم روز چند

Thou takest pride in the fact that men, from fear and bondage, have become thy flatterers for a few days.

هر کرا مردم سجودی می‌کنند ** زهر اندر جان او می‌آکنند

When men bow in adoration to any one, they are (really) cramming poison into his soul.

چونک بر گردد ازو آن ساجدش ** داند او کان زهر بود و موبدش 2745

When his adorer turns away from him, he knows that that (adoration) was poisonous and destructive to him.

ای خنک آن را که ذلت نفسه ** وای آنک از سرکشی شد چون که او

Oh, blest is he whose carnal soul was abased! Alas who became like a mountain from arrogance

این تکبر زهر قاتل دان که هست ** از می پر زهر شد آن گیج مست

Know that this pride is a killing poison: that fool toxicated by the poisonous wine.

چون می پر زهر نوشد مدبری ** از طرب یکدم بجنباند سری

When an unhappy wretch drinks the poisonous wine, his head in delight for one moment.

بعد یک‌دم زهر بر جانش فتد ** زهر در جانش کند داد و ستد

After one moment the poison falls on his spirit the poison exercises (complete) sway over his spirit.

گر نذاری زهری‌اش را اعتقاد ** کو چه زهر آمد نگر در قوم عاد 2750

If you have not firm belief in its being poisonous (and do not know) what (a deadly) poison it is, look at the people of ‘Ád.