زین کمین بی صبر و حزمی کس نرست ** حزم را خود صبر آمد پا و دست
From this ambush none escaped without some patience and prudence: to prudence, indeed, patience is the foot and hand.
حزم کن از خورد کین زهرین گیاست ** حزم کردن زور و نور انبیاست
Exercise prudence in eating (and drinking), for this (food and drink) is poisonous herbage: to exercise prudence is the strength and light of the prophets.
کاه باشد کو به هر بادی جهد ** کوه کی مر باد را وزنی نهد215
He that jumps at every breath of wind is (like) straw, (but) how should the mountain attach any weight to the wind?
هر طرف غولی همی‌خواند ترا ** کای برادر راه خواهی هین بیا
On every side a ghoul is calling you—“Hark, O brother, (if) you wish (to find) the way, come (hither).
ره نمایم همرهت باشم رفیق ** من قلاووزم درین راه دقیق
I will show (you) the way, I will be your kind fellow-traveller, I am the guide (for you) on this intricate path.”
نه قلاوزست و نه ره داند او ** یوسفا کم رو سوی آن گرگ‌خو
She (the ghoul) is not the guide, and she does not know the way. O Joseph, do not go towards that wolfish one!
حزم این باشد که نفریبد ترا ** چرب و نوش و دامهای این سرا
Prudence is this, that you be not beguiled by the fat things and sweets and snares of the World;
که نه چربش دارد و نه نوش او ** سحر خواند می‌دمد در گوش او220
For she hath neither fat nor sweet: she chants spells of magic and breathes (them) into your ear,
که بیا مهمان ما ای روشنی ** خانه آن تست و تو آن منی
Saying, “Come in as my guest, O light (of my eyes): the house is yours, and you are mine.”
حزم آن باشد که گویی تخمه‌ام ** یا سقیمم خسته‌ی این دخمه‌ام
Prudence is this, that you say (to her), “I have indigestion” or “I am ill, I am a sick man in this charnel-house”;