چون ز حد بردند اصحاب سبا ** که بپیش ما وبا به از صبا
When the people of Saba carried (their ingratitude) beyond bounds, saying, “In our opinion, pestilence is better than the zephyr,”
ناصحانشان در نصیحت آمدند ** از فسوق و کفر مانع می‌شدند
Their counselors began to admonish (them) and restrain (them) from impiety and ingratitude;
قصد خون ناصحان می‌داشتند ** تخم فسق و کافری می‌کاشتند
(But) they sought to take the lives of their counselors, and sowed the seed of impiety and unthankfulness.
چون قضا آید شود تنگ این جهان ** از قضا حلوا شود رنج دهان380
When the (Divine) decree comes to pass, this (whole) world becomes cramped (so that there is no escape); by the (Divine) decree sweetmeat becomes anguish to the mouth.
گفت اذا جاء القضا ضاق الفضا ** تحجب الابصار اذ جاء القضا
He ( the Prophet) said, “When the Decree comes, the (widest) expanse is narrow; when the Decree comes, the eyes are veiled.”
چشم بسته می‌شود وقت قضا ** تا نبیند چشم کحل چشم را
The eye is bandaged at the time if the Decree, so that the eye does not see the eye’s collyrium.
مکر آن فارس چو انگیزید گرد ** آن غبارت ز استغاثت دور کرد
When the cunning of that Horseman has raised the dust, the dust keeps thee off from calling for aid.
سوی فارس رو مرو سوی غبار ** ورنه بر تو کوبد آن مکر سوار
Go towards the Horseman, go not towards the dust; else the cunning of the Rider will beat upon thee.
گفت حق آن را که این گرگش بخورد ** دید گرد گرگ چون زاری نکرد385
God said, “He whom this wolf devoured, he saw the wolf’s dust; how did not he make piteous moan?”
او نمی‌دانست گرد گرگ را ** با چنین دانش چرا کرد او چرا
Did not he know the wolf’s dust? (Then), with such knowledge, why did he graze?
گوسفندان بوی گرگ با گزند ** می‌بدانند و بهر سو می‌خزند
Sheep know the smell of the harmful wolf and creep away in every direction.
مغز حیوانات بوی شیر را ** می‌بداند ترک می‌گوید چرا
The brain of animals knows the smell of the lion and bids farewell to grazing.
بوی شیر خشم دیدی باز گرد ** با مناجات و حذر انباز گرد
Thou hast smelt the lion of (God’s) wrath. Turn back! Consort with prayer and dread!
وا نگشتند آن گروه از گرد گرگ ** گرگ محنت بعد گرد آمد سترگ390
That multitude (of Saba) did not turn back from the wolf’s dust, and after the dust the wolf of tribulation came on his might.
بر درید آن گوسفندان را بخشم ** که ز چوپان خرد بستند چشم
In wrath he tore to pieces those sheep which shut their eyes to the shepherd, Wisdom.
چند چوپانشان بخواند و نامدند ** خاک غم در چشم چوپان می‌زدند
How oft did the shepherd call them! And they came not: they were throwing the dust of resentment in the eyes of the shepherd,
که برو ما از تو خود چوپان‌تریم ** چون تبع گردیم هر یک سروریم
Saying, “Begone: we ourselves are better shepherds than thou. How should we become (thy) followers? We are chieftains, every one (of us).
طعمه‌ی گرگیم و آن یار نه ** هیزم ناریم و آن عار نه
We are food for the wolf, and we are not for the Friend; we are fuel for the Fire, and we are not for dishonour.”
حمیتی بد جاهلیت در دماغ ** بانگ شومی بر دمنشان کرد زاغ395
A heathen pride was in their brains: the raven croaked disaster over the traces of their habitation.
بهر مظلومان همی‌کندند چاه ** در چه افتادند و می‌گفتند آه
They were digging a pit for the oppressed” they (themselves) fell into the pit, crying “Alas!”
پوستین یوسفان بکشافتند ** آنچ می‌کردند یک یک یافتند
They tore the coats of the Josephs (the prophets and saints), and that which they gave they got, piece by piece.
کیست آن یوسف دل حق‌جوی تو ** چون اسیری بسته اندر کوی تو
Who is that Joseph? Thy God-seeking heart, bound as a captive in thy abode.
جبرئیلی را بر استن بسته‌ای ** پر و بالش را به صد جا خسته‌ای
Thou hast bound a Gabriel on a pillar, thou hast wounded his wings and plumes in a hundred places.
پیش او گوساله بریان آوری ** گه کشی او را به کهدان آوری400
Thou settest before him a roasted calf, thou fetchest (ground) straw and bringest him to the straw-barn,
که بخور اینست ما را لوت و پوت ** نیست او را جز لقاء الله قوت
Saying, “Eat; this is a dainty meal for us,” (although) for him there is no food but meeting God face to face.