درد آمد بهتر از ملک جهان ** تا بخوانی مر خدا را در نهان
Grief is better than the empire of the world, so that you may call unto God in secret.
خواندن بی درد از افسردگیست ** خواندن با درد از دل‌بردگیست
The call of the griefless is from a frozen heart, the call of the grieving one is from rapture:
آن کشیدن زیر لب آواز را ** یاد کردن مبدا و آغاز را205
(’Tis) to withdraw the voice under the lips, to bear in mind (one's) origin and beginning;
آن شده آواز صافی و حزین ** ای خدا وی مستغاث و ای معین
(’Tis) the voice become pure and sad, (crying) “O God!” and “O Thou whose help is besought!” and “O Helper!”
ناله‌ی سگ در رهش بی جذبه نیست ** زانک هر راغب اسیر ره‌زنیست
(Even) the moan of a dog for His sake is not void of (Divine) attraction, because every one who desires (Him) is a brigand's captive—
چون سگ کهفی که از مردار رست ** بر سر خوان شهنشاهان نشست
As (for example) the dog of the Cave, which was freed from (eating) carrion and sat at the table of the (spiritual) emperors:
تا قیامت می‌خورد او پیش غار ** آب رحمت عارفانه بی تغار
Until the Resurrection, before the Cave it is drinking in gnostic wise without (any) pot the water of (Divine) mercy.
ای بسا سگ‌پوست کو را نام نیست ** لیک اندر پرده بی آن جام نیست210
Oh, there is many a one in a dog's skin, who hath no name (and fame), yet is not without that cup (of Divine knowledge) in secret.
جان بده از بهر این جام ای پسر ** بی جهاد و صبر کی باشد ظفر
Give thy life for this cup, O son: how may victory be (won) without (spiritual) warfare and patience?
صبر کردن بهر این نبود حرج ** صبر کن کالصبر مفتاح الفرج
To show patience for the sake of this is no hardship: show patience, for patience is the key to joy.
زین کمین بی صبر و حزمی کس نرست ** حزم را خود صبر آمد پا و دست
From this ambush none escaped without some patience and prudence: to prudence, indeed, patience is the foot and hand.
حزم کن از خورد کین زهرین گیاست ** حزم کردن زور و نور انبیاست
Exercise prudence in eating (and drinking), for this (food and drink) is poisonous herbage: to exercise prudence is the strength and light of the prophets.
کاه باشد کو به هر بادی جهد ** کوه کی مر باد را وزنی نهد215
He that jumps at every breath of wind is (like) straw, (but) how should the mountain attach any weight to the wind?
هر طرف غولی همی‌خواند ترا ** کای برادر راه خواهی هین بیا
On every side a ghoul is calling you—“Hark, O brother, (if) you wish (to find) the way, come (hither).
ره نمایم همرهت باشم رفیق ** من قلاووزم درین راه دقیق
I will show (you) the way, I will be your kind fellow-traveller, I am the guide (for you) on this intricate path.”
نه قلاوزست و نه ره داند او ** یوسفا کم رو سوی آن گرگ‌خو
She (the ghoul) is not the guide, and she does not know the way. O Joseph, do not go towards that wolfish one!
حزم این باشد که نفریبد ترا ** چرب و نوش و دامهای این سرا
Prudence is this, that you be not beguiled by the fat things and sweets and snares of the World;
که نه چربش دارد و نه نوش او ** سحر خواند می‌دمد در گوش او220
For she hath neither fat nor sweet: she chants spells of magic and breathes (them) into your ear,
که بیا مهمان ما ای روشنی ** خانه آن تست و تو آن منی
Saying, “Come in as my guest, O light (of my eyes): the house is yours, and you are mine.”
حزم آن باشد که گویی تخمه‌ام ** یا سقیمم خسته‌ی این دخمه‌ام
Prudence is this, that you say (to her), “I have indigestion” or “I am ill, I am a sick man in this charnel-house”;
یا سرم دردست درد سر ببر ** یا مرا خواندست آن خالو پسر
Or “My head aches: take away my headache,” or “the son of my maternal uncle has invited me”—
زانک یک نوشت دهد با نیشها ** که بکارد در تو نوشش ریشها
For she will give you one (draught of) honey (mixed) with (venomous) stings, so that her honey will plant in you (many) sores.
زر اگر پنجاه اگر شصتت دهد ** ماهیا او گوشت در شستت دهد225
Whether she give you fifty or sixty (pieces of) gold, she gives you, O fish, (nothing but) flesh on a hook.
گر دهد خود کی دهد آن پر حیل ** جوز پوسیدست گفتار دغل
If she give, when does that deceitful one really give (aught)? The words of the swindler are (like) rotten walnuts.
ژغژغ آن عقل و مغزت را برد ** صد هزاران عقل را یک نشمرد
Their rattling robs you of understanding and brain and does not reckon myriads of understandings (even) as one.