نامه بگشادن چه دشوارست و صعب ** کار مردانست نه طفلان کعب
How hard and difficult is it to open the letter! ‘Tis a task for men, not for children playing at knuckle
جمله بر فهرست قانع گشته‌ایم ** زانک در حرص و هوا آغشته‌ایم
We have all become satisfied with (reading) the table of contents, because we are steeped in cupidity and vain desire.
باشد آن فهرست دامی عامه را ** تا چنان دانند متن نامه را1570
The table of contents is a snare for the vulgar, that they may think the text of the scroll is like that (table).
باز کن سرنامه را گردن متاب ** زین سخن والله اعلم بالصواب
Open the title-page, do not turn your neck aside from these words—and God best knoweth the right course.
هست آن عنوان چو اقرار زبان ** متن نامه‌ی سینه را کن امتحان
That title is like a declaration made by the tongue: examine the text of the scroll, namely, the bosom (your inward self),
که موافق هست با اقرار تو ** تا منافق‌وار نبود کار تو
(And see) whether it is in agreement with your declaration, in order that your actions may not be hypocritical.
چون جوالی بس گرانی می‌بری ** زان نباید کم که در وی بنگری
When you are carrying a very heavy sack, you must not fail to look into it,
که چه داری در جوال از تلخ و خوش ** گر همی ارزد کشیدن را بکش1575
(To see) what of sour and sweet you have in the sack. If it is worth bringing along, bring it;
ورنه خالی کن جوالت را ز سنگ ** باز خر خود را ازین بیگار و ننگ
Otherwise, empty your sack of the stones (in it), and redeem yourself from this fruitless toil and disgrace.
در جوال آن کن که می‌باید کشید ** سوی سلطانان و شاهان رشید
Put in the sack that (only) which must be brought to righteous sultans and kings.
حکایت آن فقیه با دستار بزرگ و آنک بربود دستارش و بانگ می‌زد کی باز کن ببین کی چه می‌بری آنگه ببر
Story of the divine with a big turban and the man who carried it off, and how he (the divine) shouted, “Undo it and see what you are taking: then take it (if you wish)!”
یک فقیهی ژنده‌ها در چیده بود ** در عمامه‌ی خویش در پیچیده بود
A certain divine had collected some old rags and wound them in his turban,
تا شود زفت و نماید آن عظیم ** چون در آید سوی محفل در حطیم
In order that it might become big and look grand when he came into the assembly in the Hatím.
ژنده‌ها از جامه‌ها پیراسته ** ظاهرا دستار از آن آراسته1580
He had clipped the rags from (various) garments and outwardly embellished the turban with them.
ظاهر دستار چون حله‌ی بهشت ** چون منافق اندرون رسوا و زشت
The exterior of the turban was like a robe of Paradise, (but) it was shameful and ugly within, like the hypocrite.
پاره پاره دلق و پنبه و پوستین ** در درون آن عمامه بد دفین
Shreds of dalq (dervish-cloak) and cotton and fur were buried inside that turban.
روی سوی مدرسه کرده صبوح ** تا بدین ناموس یابد او فتوح
He had set his face towards the college at dawn, that by means of this false dignity he might gain (material) blessings.
در ره تاریک مردی جامه کن ** منتظر استاده بود از بهر فن
A clothes-robber stood waiting on the dark road to practise his craft.
در ربود او از سرش دستار را ** پس دوان شد تا بسازد کار را1585
He snatched the turban from his head, and then started to run in order that he might settle the business.
پس فقیهش بانگ برزد کای پسر ** باز کن دستار را آنگه ببر
Thereupon the divine shouted at him, saying, “O son, undo the turban (first), then take it (away with you).
این چنین که چار پره می‌پری ** باز کن آن هدیه را که می‌بری
Even as you are flying with four wings (very rapidly), (with the same speed) undo the gift which you are taking away.
باز کن آن را به دست خود بمال ** آنگهان خواهی ببر کردم حلال
Undo it and rub (feel) with your hand, then take it if you like: I sanction (that).”
چونک بازش کرد آنک می‌گریخت ** صد هزاران ژنده اندر ره بریخت
When he who was fleeing undid it, a hundred thousand rags dropped on the road.
زان عمامه‌ی زفت نابایست او ** ماند یک گز کهنه‌ای در دست او1590
Of that big improper turban of his there remained in his (the robber's) hand (only) an ell of old cloth.
بر زمین زد خرقه را کای بی‌عیار ** زین دغل ما را بر آوردی ز کار
He dashed the rag on the ground, saying, “O worthless man, by this fraud you have put me out of business (deprived me of profit).”
نصیحت دنیا اهل دنیا را به زبان حال و بی‌وفایی خود را نمودن به وفا طمع دارندگان ازو
The World's mute admonition to worldlings, and how it displays its faithlessness to those who have hope of its keeping faith (with them).
گفت بنمودم دغل لیکن ترا ** از نصیحت باز گفتم ماجرا
He (the divine) said, “I defrauded (you), but (at the same time) I declared to you the (truth of the) matter by way of admonition.”