دزد چون مال کسان را می‌برد ** قبض و دلتنگی دلش را می‌خلد355
When a thief is carrying off people's property, contraction and straitness of heart prick his heart (conscience),
او همی‌گوید عجب این قبض چیست ** قبض آن مظلوم کز شرت گریست
(And) he says, “I wonder what this contraction is”: (say), “The contraction (distress) of the injured person who wept at thy wickedness.”
چون بدین قبض التفاتی کم کند ** باد اصرار آتشش را دم کند
When he pays no regard to this contraction, the wind of perseverance (in evil) blows (fans) its (the evil's) fire.
قبض دل قبض عوان شد لاجرم ** گشت محسوس آن معانی زد علم
The contraction that grips the heart turns into the grip of the policeman: inevitably those ideas become sensible (materialised) and display themselves.
غصه‌ها زندان شدست و چارمیخ ** غصه بیخست و بروید شاخ بیخ
The pangs have become prison and the cross (crucifixion): the pang is (as) the root, and the root produces boughs.
بیخ پنهان بود هم شد آشکار ** قبض و بسط اندرون بیخی شمار360
The root was hidden, it is (now) revealed. Consider (your) inward contraction and expansion as a root.
چونک بیخ بد بود زودش بزن ** تا نروید زشت‌خاری در چمن
When it is a bad root, smite it quickly, so that an ugly thorn may not grow in the garden.
قبض دیدی چاره‌ی آن قبض کن ** زانک سرها جمله می‌روید ز بن
You have felt the contraction: seek a remedy for it, because all heads (excrescences) grow from the bottom (root).
بسط دیدی بسط خود را آب ده ** چون بر آید میوه با اصحاب ده
You have felt the expansion: water your expansion, and when the fruit appears, give it to your friends.
باقی قصه‌ی اهل سبا
The remainder of the Story of the people of Saba.
آن سبا ز اهل صبا بودند و خام ** کارشان کفران نعمت با کرام
Saba were folk given over to dalliance and foolish; ‘twas their practice to show ingratitude to the generous.