The office (business) that veils me from (the sight of) thy face is the very essence of unemployment, though it is called ‘office.’
موجب تاخیر اینجا آمدن ** فقد استعداد بود و ضعف فن
The cause of (his) delay in coming hither was lack of capability and defect of skill.”
بی ز استعداد در کانی روی ** بر یکی حبه نگردی محتوی 4425
(If) you go into a mine without (having) capability, you will not gain possession of a single grain (of gold),
هم‌چو عنینی که بکری را خرد ** گرچه سیمین‌بر بود کی بر خورد
Tanquam vir veneri inhabilis qui virginem emit: ea, etsi pectus argenteum (candidum) sit, frui quo pacto poterit? [Like an impotent man who buys a virgin (for a slave): even if she is a silver-breasted (beauty), how can he enjoy (her sexually)?]
چون چراغی بی ز زیت و بی فتیل ** نه کثیرستش ز شمع و نه قلیل
(The incapable man is) like a lamp without oil or wick that gets neither much nor little from the (flaming) taper.
در گلستان اندر آید اخشمی ** کی شود مغزش ز ریحان خرمی
(If) one who cannot smell enter a garden, how should his brain (nose) be delighted by the fragrant herbs?—
هم‌چو خوبی دلبری مهمان غر ** بانگ چنگ و بربطی در پیش کر
Tanquam formosa et venusta hospita viri debilis; (and) like the sound of a harp or lute in the ears of the deaf; [Like a beautiful (and) charming woman (who is) the guest of a feeble (impotent) man; (and like) the sound of a harp or lute in the ears of the deaf;]
هم‌چو مرغ خاک که آید در بحار ** زان چه یابد جز هلاک و جز خسار 4430
(And) like the land-bird that falls into great waters: what should it find there but death and perdition?
هم‌چو بی‌گندم شده در آسیا ** جز سپیدی ریش و مو نبود عطا
(And) like one who, having no wheat, goes to a mill: nothing will be given to him except the whitening of his beard and hair (with flour).