کوردل با جان و با سمع و بصر ** مینداند دزد شیطان را ز اثر
The blind of heart, notwithstanding (his possession of) life and hearing and sight, is never knowing the devilish thief by the traces (which he leaves).
ز اهل دل جو از جماد آن را مجو ** که جماد آمد خلایق پیش او
Seek (that knowledge) from the man of heart; do not seek it from the inanimate, for (all other) people are inanimate beside (in comparison with) him.
مشورت جوینده آمد نزد او ** کای اب کودک شده رازی بگو
The seeker of counsel approached him (the saint who was feigning madness), saying, “O father who hast become (as) a child, tell (me) a secret.”
گفت رو زین حلقه کاین در باز نیست ** باز گرد امروز روز راز نیست2385
He answered, “Begone from this door-ring, for this door is not open. Turn back: to-day is not the day for secrets.
گر مکان را ره بدی در لامکان ** همچو شیخان بودمی من بر دکان
If the spatial had (any) access to the non-spatial, I should be (seated) on the bench, (giving instruction) like the Shaykhs (spiritual directors).”
خواندن محتسب مست خراب افتاده را به زندان
How the Police Inspector summoned the man who had fallen dead-drunk (on the ground) to (go to) prison.
محتسب در نیم شب جایی رسید ** در بن دیوار مستی خفته دید
The Inspector came at midnight to a certain place: he saw a drunken man lying at the bottom of a wall.
گفت هی مستی چه خورده ستی بگو ** گفت از این خوردم که هست اندر سبو
He cried, “Hey, you are drunk: tell (me), what have you been drinking?” Said the man, “I have drunk of this which is in the jar.”
گفت آخر در سبو واگو که چیست ** گفت از آن که خوردهام گفت این خفی است
“Pray,” said he, “explain what is in the jar.” He replied, “Some of what I have drunk.” “(But),” said the Inspector, “this is hidden (from sight).”
گفت آن چه خوردهای آن چیست آن ** گفت آن که در سبو مخفی است آن2390
He asked (again), “What is it that you have drunk?” He rejoined, “That which is hidden in the jar.”
دور میشد این سؤال و این جواب ** ماند چون خر محتسب اندر خلاب
These questions and answers were becoming a (vicious) circle. The Inspector was left (stuck) in the mud, like an ass.