با هزاران حزم خواجه مات شد ** زان سفر در معرض آفات شد
Notwithstanding thousands of (good) resolutions, the Khwája was checkmated, and from that journey (which he undertook) he fell into the midst of calamities.
اعتمادش بر ثبات خویش بود ** گرچه که بد نیم سیلش در ربود
His reliance was upon his own firmness, (but) though he was (as) a mountain, a half-flood swept him away.
چون قضا بیرون کند از چرخ سر ** عاقلان گردند جمله کور و کر
When the Decree puts forth its head from Heaven, all the intelligent become blind and deaf;
ماهیان افتند از دریا برون ** دام گیرد مرغ پران را زبون470
Fishes are cast out of the sea; the snare catches miserably the flying bird.
تا پری و دیو در شیشه شود ** بلک هاروتی به بابل در رود
Even genie and demon go into the bottle; nay, a Hárút goes into (the pit of) Babylon.
جز کسی کاندر قضا اندر گریخت ** خون او را هیچ تربیعی نریخت
(All are lost) except that one who has taken refuge with the Decree: his blood no (astrological) quadrature (ever) shed.
غیر آن که در گریزی در قضا ** هیچ حیله ندهدت از وی رها
Except that you take refuge with the Decree, no contrivance will give you release from it.
قصه‌ی اهل ضروان و حیلت کردن ایشان تا بی زحمت درویشان باغها را قطاف کنند
The Story of the people of Zarwán and how they contrived that they should pick the fruit in their orchards without being troubled by the poor.
قصه‌ی اصحاب ضروان خوانده‌ای ** پس چرا در حیله‌جویی مانده‌ای
You have read the story of the people of Zarwán: then why have you persisted in seeking expedients?
حیله می‌کردند کزدم‌نیش چند ** که برند از روزی درویش چند475
Several (noxious) men who stung like scorpions were contriving that they might cut off part of the daily bread of some poor folk.
شب همه شب می‌سگالیدند مکر ** روی در رو کرده چندین عمرو و بکر
During the night, the whole night, they were devising a plot; many a ‘Amr and Bakr had put their faces together.