Compared with the town, (which is) Universal Reason, these senses (of ours) are like asses (going round and round) in an ass-mill with their eyes bandaged.
پیش شهر عقل کلی این حواس ** چون خران چشمبسته در خراس
Leave this (inner meaning) and take the outward form of the tale: let the pearlseed alone and take the cornseed.
این رها کن صورت افسانه گیر ** هل تو دردانه تو گندمدانه گیر
If there is no way to the pearl, come, take the wheat; if there is no way for you in that (direction), push on in this direction.525
گر بدر ره نیست هین بر میستان ** گر بدان ره نیستت این سو بران
Take its outward (form)! Though the outward (form) fly crookedly (not straight), the outward (form) at last will lead (you) to the inward (meaning).
ظاهرش گیر ار چه ظاهر کژ پرد ** عاقبت ظاهر سوی باطن برد
In sooth, the first (stage) of every human being is the form; after that (comes) the spirit, which is beauty of disposition.
اول هر آدمی خود صورتست ** بعد از آن جان کو جمال سیرتست
How is the first (stage) of every fruit anything but the form? After that (comes) the delicious taste which is its real meaning.
اول هر میوه جز صورت کیست ** بعد از آن لذت که معنی ویست
First they make or buy a tent; afterwards they bring the Turcoman (their beloved) as a guest.
اولا خرگاه سازند و خرند ** ترک را زان پس به مهمان آورند
Deem your form to be the tent, your real essence the Turcoman, regard your essence as the sailor, your form as the ship.530
صورتت خرگاه دان معنیت ترک ** معنیت ملاح دان صورت چو فلک
For God’s sake, quit this (topic) for a moment, so that the Khwaja’s ass may shake its bell (proceed on its journey).
بهر حق این را رها کن یک نفس ** تا خر خواجه بجنباند جرس
How the Khwaja and his family went to the country.
رفتن خواجه و قومش به سوی ده
The Khwaja and his children prepared an outfit and galloped on their beasts towards the country.
خواجه و بچگان جهازی ساختند ** بر ستوران جانب ده تاختند