خاک بر سر کرد و جامه بر درید ** که بهر دم می‌کنی ظلمی مزید
He put dust on his head and tore his raiment, crying, “At every instant thou art adding an injury.”
یک‌دمی دیگر برین تشنیع راند ** باز داودش به پیش خویش خواند
Once more he went on in this (strain of) reproach; then David called him to his presence,
گفت چون بختت نبود ای بخت‌کور ** ظلمت آمد اندک اندک در ظهور
And said, “Since ‘twas not your fortune (to be saved), O you whose fortune is blind, little by little your wickedness has come to light.
ریده‌ای آنگاه صدر و پیشگاه ** ای دریغ از چون تو خر خاشاک و کاه2430
Cacavisti, then (you advance to) the high seat and the place of honour. Oh, may sticks and straw be withheld from such an ass as you are! [You have defecated (in a filthy manner), then (you advance to) the high seat and the place of honour. Oh, may sticks and straw be withheld from such an ass as you are!]
رو که فرزندان تو با جفت تو ** بندگان او شدند افزون مگو
Begone! Your children and your wife have (now) become his slaves. Say no more!”
سنگ بر سینه همی‌زد با دو دست ** می‌دوید از جهل خود بالا و پست
He (the plaintiff) was dashing stones against his breast with both hands and running up and down in his folly.
خلق هم اندر ملامت آمدند ** کز ضمیر کار او غافل بدند
The people too began to blame (David), for they were unaware of the hidden (circumstances) of his (the plaintiff’s) action.
ظالم از مظلوم کی داند کسی ** کو بود سخره‌ی هوا همچون خسی
How should one that is subject, like a straw, to (the wind of) sensuality know the oppressor from the oppressed?
ظالم از مظلوم آنکس پی برد ** کو سر نفس ظلوم خود برد2435
He that cuts off the head of his wicked self—he (alone) finds the way to (discriminating) the oppressor from the oppressed.
ورنه آن ظالم که نفس است از درون ** خصم هر مظلوم باشد از جنون
Otherwise, that oppressor, which is the fleshly soul within (us), (being moved) by frenzy, is the adversary of every oppressed person.