آن نه بازی بلک جانبازیست آن ** حیله و مکر و دغاسازیست آن
That is not (joyful) play; nay, ‘tis play with one’s life, ‘tis cunning and deceit and contrivance of fraud.
هرچه از یارت جدا اندازد آن ** مشنو آن را کان زیان دارد زیان
Whatsoever would fling you asunder from the Friend, do not listen to it, for it holds loss, loss.
گر بود آن سود صد در صد مگیر ** بهر زر مگسل ز گنجور ای فقیر420
(Even) if the gain be a hundred hundredfold, do not accept it: do not, for the sake of the gold, break with the dervish (who is) the treasurer (of the Divine bounty)!
این شنو که چند یزدان زجر کرد ** گفت اصحاب نبی را گرم و سرد
Hear how many a rebuke, hot and cold (kindly and severe), God addressed to the Companions of the Prophet,
زانک بر بانگ دهل در سال تنگ ** جمعه را کردند باطل بی درنگ
Because, in a year of distress (famine), at the sound of the drum they (quitted) without tarrying (and) made void the Friday congregation,
تا نباید دیگران ارزان خرند ** زان جلب صرفه ز ما ایشان برند
“Lest” (so they said) “others should buy cheap and get the advantage over us in respect of those imported goods.”
ماند پیغامبر بخلوت در نماز ** با دو سه درویش ثابت پر نیاز
The Prophet was left alone in prayer with two or three poor men firm (in their faith) and full of supplication.
گفت طبل و لهو و بازرگانیی ** چونتان ببرید از ربانیی425
He (God) said, “How did the drum and the pastime and a trading affair sunder you from a man of God?
قد فضضتم نحو قمح هائما ** ثم خلیتم نبیا قائما
Ye have dispersed (and run) madly towards the wheat, and left a Prophet standing (in prayer).
بهر گندم تخم باطل کاشتید ** و آن رسول حق را بگذاشتید
On account of the wheat ye sowed the seed of vanity and forsook that Messenger of God.
صحبت او خیر من لهوست و مال ** بین کرا بگذاشتی چشمی بمال
Companionship with him is better that pastime and riches: (look and ) see whom thou hast forsaken, rub an eye!
خود نشد حرص شما را این یقین ** که منم رزاق و خیر الرازقین
Verily, to your greed did not this become certain, that I am the Provider and the best of them that provide?”
آنک گندم را ز خود روزی دهد ** کی توکلهات را ضایع نهد430
He that giveth sustenance from Himself unto the wheat, how should He let thy acts of trust (in Him) be wasted?
از پی گندم جدا گشتی از آن ** که فرستادست گندم ز آسمان
For the sake of wheat thou hast become parted from Him who hath sent the wheat from Heaven.
دعوت باز بطان را از آب به صحرا
How the falcon invited the ducks to come from the water to the plain.
باز گوید بط را کز آب خیز ** تا ببینی دشتها را قندریز
Says the falcon to the duck, “Arise from the water, that thou mayst see the plains diffusing sweetness,”
بط عاقل گویدش ای باز دور ** آب ما را حصن و امنست و سرور
(But) the wise duck says to him, “Away, O falcon! The water is our stronghold and safety and joy.”
دیو چون باز آمد ای بطان شتاب ** هین به بیرون کم روید از حصن آب
The Devil is like the falcon. O ducks, make haste (to guard yourselves)! Beware, do not come out of your stronghold, the water.
باز را گویند رو رو باز گرد ** از سر ما دست دار ای پای‌مرد435
They (the ducks) say to the falcon, “Begone, begone! Turn back and keep the hand off our heads, O kind friend!
ما بری از دعوتت دعوت ترا ** ما ننوشیم این دم تو کافرا
We are quit of thy invitation: (keep) the invitation for thyself: we will not listen to these words of thine, O infidel!
حصن ما را قند و قندستان ترا ** من نخواهم هدیه‌ات بستان ترا
The stronghold (the water) is (enough) for us: let the sugar and sugar-fields be thine! I do not desire thy gift: take it for thyself!
چونک جان باشد نیاید لوت کم ** چونک لشکر هست کم ناید علم
Whilst there is life (in the body), food will not fail; when there is an army, banners will not fail.”
خواجه‌ی حازم بسی عذر آورید ** بس بهانه کرد با دیو مرید
The prudent Khwája offered many an excuse and made many a pretext to the (countryman who resembled the) obstinate Devil.
گفت این دم کارها دارم مهم ** گر بیایم آن نگردد منتظم440
“At this moment,” said he, “I have serious matters (in hand); if I come (to visit you), they will not be set in order.
شاه کار نازکم فرموده است ** ز انتظارم شاه شب نغنوده است
The King has charged me with a delicate affair, and because of (anxiously) expecting me he has not slept during the night.
من نیارم ترک امر شاه کرد ** من نتانم شد بر شه روی‌زرد
I dare not neglect the King's command, I cannot fall into disgrace with the King.