(For) it will take you to the tank to perform the ritual ablution, and will cast you to the bottom thereof.
سوی حوضت آورد بهر وضو ** واندر اندازد ترا در قعر او
The intellect is luminous and a seeker of good: how (then) does the dark fleshly soul prevail over it?
عقل نورانی و نیکو طالبست ** نفس ظلمانی برو چون غالبست
(It prevails) because it is at home, (while) your intellect is a stranger: the dog at his own door is (like) a terrible lion.
زانک او در خانه عقل تو غریب ** بر در خود سگ بود شیر مهیب
Wait till the lions go (back) to the jungle and these blind dogs’ will believe (in them) there.
باش تا شیران سوی بیشه روند ** وین سگان کور آنجا بگروند
The common folk of the city do not know the deceit of the fleshly soul and of the body: it (the fleshly soul) is not subdued save by (Divine) inspiration in the heart.2560
مکر نفس و تن نداند عام شهر ** او نگردد جز بوحی القلب قهر
Every one that is its congener becomes its friend, except, to be sure, the David who is your Shaykh;
هر که جنس اوست یار او شود ** جز مگر داود کان شیخت بود
For he has been transmuted, and whomsoever God hath seated in the abode of the heart, he( that person) is no more the body’s congener.
کو مبدل گشت و جنس تن نماند ** هر که را حق در مقام دل نشاند
All the (other) people are (rendered) infirm by (that which lies in) ambush (within them): ‘tis certain that infirmity associates with infirmity.
خلق جمله علتیاند از کمین ** یار علت میشود علت یقین
Every worthless fellow pretends to be (a) David; every one who lacks discernment lays hold of him (attaches himself to him):
هر خسی دعوی داودی کند ** هر که بی تمییز کف در وی زند
He hears the bird’s note from a fowler and, (like a) foolish bird, he keeps going in that direction.2565
از صیادی بشنود آواز طیر ** مرغ ابله میکند آن سوی سیر