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.
این هم از تاثیر آن بیماریست ** زهر او در جمله جفتان ساریست
This (false opinion) also is from the effect produced by that sickness: its poison pervades all associated (with it).
دفع آن علت بباید کرد زود ** که شکر با آن حدث خواهد نمود
It behoves (thee) quickly to remove that malady, for with that (disease) sugar will seem filth;
هر خوشی کاید به تو ناخوش شود ** آب حیوان گر رسد آتش شود2685
Every sweet thing that comes to thee grows unsweet: if the Water of Life arrive, it turns into fire.
کیمیای مرگ و جسکست آن صفت ** مرگ گردد زان حیاتت عاقبت
That (morbid) quality is the elixir of death and woe: thereby thy (spiritual) life is at last turned into death.
بس غدایی که ز وی دل زنده شد ** چون بیامد در تن تو گنده شد
There was many a food by which thy heart (spirit) was revived: when it entered thy body, it became stinking.
بس عزیزی که بناز اشکار شد ** چون شکارت شد بر تو خوار شد
There is many a dear one that was hunted (by thee) with blandishments: when he became thy prey, he became cheap in thine eyes.
آشنایی عقل با عقل از صفا ** چون شود هر دم فزون باشد ولا
When from sincerity the friendship of intellect with intellect arises, every moment the devotion is increased;
آشنایی نفس با هر نفس پست ** تو یقین می‌دان که دم دم کمترست2690
(But) know for sure, the friendship of the carnal soul with any base carnal soul is momently diminished,
زانک نفسش گرد علت می‌تند ** معرفت را زود فاسد می‌کند
Because his carnal soul hovers round disease and soon corrupts the (friendly) acquaintance.
گر نخواهی دوست را فردا نفیر ** دوستی با عاقل و با عقل گیر
If thou dost not wish thy friend to be averse (to thee) on the morrow, take (choose) friendship with the intelligent and with the intellect.