تا که کر و فر و زر بخشی او ** هم‌چو عنبر بو دهد در گفت و گو
So that his pomp and magnificence and lavishing of gold may yield a perfume, like (that of) ambergris, in (their) song.
خلق ما بر صورت خود کرد حق ** وصف ما از وصف او گیرد سبق
God created us in His image: our qualities are instructed by (are modeled upon) His qualities.
چونک آن خلاق شکر و حمدجوست ** آدمی را مدح‌جویی نیز خوست1195
Inasmuch as the Creator desires thanksgiving and glorification, it is also the nature of man to desire praise,
خاصه مرد حق که در فضلست چست ** پر شود زان باد چون خیک درست
Especially the man of God, who is active in (showing) excellence: he becomes filled with that wind (of praise), like an undamaged leathern bag;
ور نباشد اهل زان باد دروغ ** خیک بدریدست کی گیرد فروغ
But if he (the recipient of praise) be not worthy, the bag is rent by that wind of falsehood: how should it receive lustre?
این مثل از خود نگفتم ای رفیق ** سرسری مشنو چو اهلی و مفیق
I have not invented this parable, O comrade: do not hear it (as though it were) silly, if thou art worthy and restored to thy senses.
این پیمبر گفت چون بشنید قدح ** که چرا فربه شود احمد به مدح
The Prophet (Mohammed) said (something like) this, when he heard vituperation (from the infidels who asked), “Why is Ahmad (Mohammed) made fat (happy) by praise?”
رفت شاعر پیش آن شاه و ببرد ** شعر اندر شکر احسان کان نمرد1200
The poet went to the king and brought a poem in thanks (and praise) for (his) beneficence, saying that it (beneficence) never died.
محسنان مردند و احسانها بماند ** ای خنک آن را که این مرکب براند
The beneficent died, and (their) acts of beneficence remained: oh, blest is he that rode this steed!
ظالمان مردند و ماند آن ظلمها ** وای جانی کو کند مکر و دها
The unjust died, and those acts of injustice remained: alas for the soul that practises deceit and fraud!