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بشنو این قصه پی تهدید را ** تا بدانی آفت تقلید را
- Hear this (following) story as a deterrent, in order that you may know the banefulness of blind imitation.
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فروختن صوفیان بهیمهی مسافر را جهت سماع
- How the Súfís sold the traveller's beast (to pay) for the (expenses of the) mystic dance.
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صوفیی در خانقاه از ره رسید ** مرکب خود برد و در آخر کشید
- A Súfí, after journeying, arrived at a monastery (for Súfís); he took his mount and led it to the stable.
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آب کش داد و علف از دست خویش ** نه چنان صوفی که ما گفتیم پیش 515
- With his own hand he gave it a little water and some fodder: (he was) not such a Súfí as the one we told of before.
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احتیاطش کرد از سهو و خباط ** چون قضا آید چه سود است احتیاط
- He took precaution for it against neglect and craziness, (but) when the (Divine) destiny comes to pass, of what avail is precaution?
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صوفیان در جوع بودند و فقیر ** کاد فقر أن یعی کفرا یبیر
- The Súfís were destitute and poor: poverty almost comprises an infidelity that brings (the soul) to perdition.
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ای توانگر که تو سیری هین مخند ** بر کجی آن فقیر دردمند
- O thou rich man who art full fed, beware of laughing at the unrighteousness of the suffering poor.
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از سر تقصیر آن صوفی رمه ** خر فروشی در گرفتند آن همه
- On account of their destitution that Súfí flock, all of them, adopted (the expedient of) selling the ass,
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کز ضرورت هست مرداری مباح ** بس فسادی کز ضرورت شد صلاح 520
- Saying, “(In case) of necessity a carcase is lawful (food); (there is) many a vicious act that necessity made a virtuous one.”
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هم در آن دم آن خرک بفروختند ** لوت آوردند و شمع افروختند
- They instantly sold the little ass; they fetched dainty viands and lit candles.
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ولوله افتاد اندر خانقه ** کامشبان لوت و سماع است و شره
- Jubilation arose in the monastery: (they cried), “To-night there are dainties and music and dancing and voracity.