ای بسا مرغی ز معده وز مغص ** بر کنار بام محبوس قفص
Oh, many the bird that, through its belly (appetite) and pangs of hunger, was made captive in a cage on the edge of a terrace!
ای بسا ماهی در آب دوردست ** گشته از حرص گلو ماخوذ شست1695
Oh, many the fish that, because of its gullet’s greed, was caught by a hook in water hard to reach!
ای بسا مستور در پرده بده ** شومی فرج و گلو رسوا شده
Oh, many the chaste (woman) in a curtained bower that was brought to open shame by the misfortune of lust and gluttony! [Oh, many the chaste (woman) in a curtained bower that was brought to open shame by the misfortune of (her) vulva and throat!]
ای بسا قاضی حبر نیک‌خو ** از گلو و رشوتی او زردرو
Oh, many the learned and honest judge that was disgraced by greed and bribery!
بلک در هاروت و ماروت آن شراب ** از عروج چرخشان شد سد باب
Nay, in the case of Hárút and Márút that wine (of lust) debarred them from ascending to Heaven.
با یزید از بهر این کرد احتراز ** دید در خود کاهلی اندر نماز
On this account Báyazíd took precaution: he observed in himself remissness in (the performance of) the ritual prayer.
از سبب اندیشه کرد آن ذو لباب ** دید علت خوردن بسیار از آب1700
(When) that possessor of the marrow (of spiritual knowledge) meditated concerning the cause, he perceived that the cause was (too) much water-drinking.
گفت تا سالی نخواهم خورد آب ** آنچنان کرد و خدایش داد تاب
He said, “For a year I will not drink water.” He acted accordingly, and God bestowed on him the power (to abstain).
این کمینه جهد او بد بهر دین ** گشت او سلطان و قطب العارفین
This was his least penance for the Religion’s sake: he became a (spiritual) sultan and the Pole of the Gnostics.
چون بریده شد برای حلق دست ** مرد زاهد را در شکوی ببست
Since the ascetic’s hand had been cut off by reason of his gullet (appetite), he closed the door of complaint.