XVI: Since the world's pomps and vanities are accounted…

Since the world's pomps and vanities are accounted nothing,
Only the worthless man will boast of such nothingness.

The existence of the transitory world is as the lightning's flash;
And by the light of a meteor, no affairs can be disposed of.

The world's lusts and vanities, are but the phantoms of a dream;
For when the sleeper again awaketh, they will be naught.

From this world, every man departeth, mouth filled with gall;
For it hath never yet made sweet any one's disposition.

Notwithstanding they fought and struggled so together,
Neither Alexander nor Darius carried the least thing hence.

He, who is acquainted with the world's deceptions and deceits,
Neither tradeth nor trafficketh in its markets, in the least.

Since the integrity of friendship cannot be preserved,
The friendship of this world's friends is, than nothing, less.

This embryonic thing, no one hath brought to perfection;
For its permanence is no longer than the lightning's flash.

O Hamid! he who is free from its cares and vexations,
Is perfectly indifferent regarding the world's people too!