آن خیالات ار نبد نامتلف ** چون ز بیرون شد روشها مختلف

Unless those phantasies were incongruous, how did the modes of action become diverse externally?

قبله‌ی جان را چو پنهان کرده‌اند ** هر کسی رو جانبی آورده‌اند

Since the qibla (the true object) of the soul has been hidden, every one has turned his face to a (different) quarter.

تمثیل روشهای مختلف و همتهای گوناگون به اختلاف تحری متحریان در وقت نماز قبله را در وقت تاریکی و تحری غواصان در قعر بحر

Comparison of the different practices and the various aspirations (of mankind) to the disagreement of those who at prayer-time endeavour to find the qibla (direction of Mecca) when it is dark, and to the search of divers (for pearls) at the bottom of the sea.

هم‌چو قومی که تحری می‌کنند ** بر خیال قبله سویی می‌تنند

(They are) like folk trying to find (the direction of the Ka‘ba) and (each) turning in a certain direction which they fancy is the qibla:

چونک کعبه رو نماید صبحگاه ** کشف گردد که کی گم کردست راه 330

When at dawn the Ka‘ba appears, it is discovered who has lost the (right) way;

یا چو غواصان به زیر قعر آب ** هر کسی چیزی همی‌چیند شتاب

Or like divers under the depth of the (sea)-water, every one (of whom) picks up something in haste:

بر امید گوهر و در ثمین ** توبره پر می‌کنند از آن و این

In hope of (getting) precious jewels and pearls, they fill their bags with that and this;

چون بر آیند از تگ دریای ژرف ** کشف گردد صاحب در شگرف

When they come up from the floor of the deep sea, the possessor of the great pearls is discovered,

وآن دگر که برد مروارید خرد ** وآن دگر که سنگ‌ریزه و شبه برد

And (also) the other who got the small pearls, and the other who got (only) pebbles and worthless shells.

هکذی یبلوهم بالساهره ** فتنة ذات افتضاح قاهره 335

Even thus in the Sáhira (place of Judgement) a shameful overwhelming tribulation will afflict them (the followers of phantasy).

هم‌چنین هر قوم چون پروانگان ** گرد شمعی پرزنان اندر جهان

Similarly, every class of people in the world are fluttering like moths round a candle.