دادشان چندان ضیاع و باغ و راغ ** از چپ و از راست از بهر فراغ
(Yet) He gave them so many estates and orchards and meadowlands, on the left hand and the right, for (their) leisure (pastime and diversion).
بس که می‌افتاد از پری ثمار ** تنگ می‌شد معبر ره بر گذار
Inasmuch as the fruit was falling (to the ground) from abundance, there was no room for any one to pass on the road,
آن نثار میوه ره را می‌گرفت ** از پری میوه ره‌رو در شگفت2660
(For) the scattered largesse of fruit would block the way: the wayfarer (would be) in amazement at the plenty of the fruit.
سله بر سر در درختستانشان ** پر شدی ناخواست از میوه‌فشان
In their groves, through the dropping of the fruit, a basket on the head would be filled involuntarily.
باد آن میوه فشاندی نه کسی ** پر شدی زان میوه دامنها بسی
The breeze would scatter the fruit, not (the hand of) any one: by that fruit a multitude of skirts would be filled.
خوشه‌های زفت تا زیر آمده ** بر سر و روی رونده می‌زده
Huge clusters, having come low down, would strike against the head and face of the wayfarer.
مرد گلخن‌تاب از پری زر ** بسته بودی در میان زرین کمر
On account of the plenty of gold a bath-stoker might have tied a golden belt on his waist.
سگ کلیچه کوفتی در زیر پا ** تخمه بودی گرگ صحرا از نوا2665
The dogs would trample buns underfoot; the desert wolf would have indigestion from the (rich) food.
گشته آمن شهر و ده از دزد و گرگ ** بز نترسیدی هم از گرگ سترگ
Town and village had become safe from robbers and wolves; the goat was not afraid even of the fierce wolf.
گر بگویم شرح نعمتهای قوم ** که زیادت می‌شد آن یوما بیوم
If I explain (all) the blessings bestowed upon the people (of Sabá), which were increasing day by day,
مانع آید از سخنهای مهم ** انبیا بردند امر فاستقم
It will hinder (me) from (speaking of) important matters. The prophets brought (to the Sabaeans) the (Divine) command, namely, “Do thou, therefore, be righteous.”
آمدن پیغامبران حق به نصیحت اهل سبا
How the prophets came from God to admonish the people of Sabá.
سیزده پیغامبر آنجا آمدند ** گم‌رهان را جمله رهبر می‌شدند
Thirteen prophets came thither: all (of them) were ready to guide those who had lost the way,
که هله نعمت فزون شد شکر کو ** مرکب شکر ار بخسپد حرکوا2670
Saying, “Come, the benefit has increased: where is the thanksgiving? If the steed of thanksgiving lie down, set (it) in motion.
شکر منعم واجب آید در خرد ** ورنه بگشاید در خشم ابد
In (the view of) reason it is necessary to give thanks to the Benefactor; otherwise, the door of everlasting wrath will be opened.
هین کرم بینید وین خود کس کند ** کز چنین نعمت به شکری بس کند
Hark, behold the loving kindness (of God)! And in sooth would any one (but God) do this—namely, be content with a single thanksgiving for such benefits?
سر ببخشد شکر خواهد سجده‌ای ** پا ببخشد شکر خواهد قعده‌ای
He bestows a head and asks as thanksgiving (only) one act of bowing; He bestows feet and asks as thanksgiving (only) one act of sitting (in piety and devotion).”
قوم گفته شکر ما را برد غول ** ما شدیم از شکر و از نعمت ملول
The people said, “The ghoul has carried off our thanksgiving: we have become weary of giving thanks and receiving benefits.
ما چنان پژمرده گشتیم ازعطا ** که نه طاعتمان خوش آید نه خطا2675
We have become so disgusted with the bounty that neither piety nor sin pleases us.
ما نمی‌خواهیم نعمتها و باغ ** ما نمی‌خواهیم اسباب و فراغ
We do not desire benefits and orchards: we do not desire means (of enjoyment) and leisure.”
انبیا گفتند در دل علتیست ** که از آن در حق‌شناسی آفتیست
The prophets said, “In your hearts is a malady whence there is (produced) a canker in the acknowledgment of obligations,
نعمت از وی جملگی علت شود ** طعمه در بیمار کی قوت شود
And whereby the benefit is wholly turned into disease: how should food become (a source of) strength in the sick?
چند خوش پیش تو آمد ای مصر ** جمله ناخوش گشت و صاف او کدر
How many a sweet thing came to thee, O persistent (in sin), and they all grew unsweet, and their pure (quality) became turbid!
تو عدو این خوشیها آمدی ** گشت ناخوش هر چه بر وی کف زدی2680
Thou didst become a foe to these sweetnesses: on whatsoever thing thou didst lay thy hand, it became unsweet.
هر که اوشد آشنا و یار تو ** شد حقیر و خوار در دیدار تو
Whosoever became (in reality) thy familiar and friend became despicable and vile in thy sight;
هر که او بیگانه باشد با تو هم ** پیش تو او بس مه‌است و محترم
And every one, too, that (in reality) would be alien to thee is, in thy opinion, very grand and venerable.