Because that which the cloud gives, it gives with tears, (while) thy hand incessantly lays the dish (of bounty) with smiles.”
ظاهر رقعه اگر چه مدح بود ** بوی خشم از مدح اثرها می‌نمود
Though the outward form of the letter was praise, from (amidst) the praise the scent of anger was showing traces (betraying itself).
زان همه کار تو بی‌نورست و زشت ** که تو دوری دور از نور سرشت
All your actions are devoid of light and ugly because you are far, far from the light of your original nature.
رونق کار خسان کاسد شود ** هم‌چو میوه‌ی تازه زو فاسد شود
The splendour of the actions of the vile becomes unsaleable (fades away), just as fresh fruit soon becomes rotten.
رونق دنیا برآرد زو کساد ** زانک هست از عالم کون و فساد
The splendour of the present life soon produces unsaleableness (becomes of no account), inasmuch as it belongs to the world of generation and corruption.
خوش نگردد از مدیحی سینه‌ها ** چونک در مداح باشد کینه‌ها1735
Breasts are not gladdened by an encomium when there are feelings of enmity in the encomiast.
ای دل از کین و کراهت پاک شو ** وانگهان الحمد خوان چالاک شو
O heart, become purged of enmity and repugnance, and then chant “Glory to God” and be busy (in serving Him).
بر زبان الحمد و اکراه درون ** از زبان تلبیس باشد یا فسون
(To have) “Glory to God” on your tongue and repugnance within is hypocrisy or guile on the tongue’s part;
وانگهان گفته خدا که ننگرم ** من به ظاهر من به باطن ناظرم
And moreover God hath said, “I do not look to the exterior, I am regarding the interior.”
حکایت آن مداح کی از جهت ناموس شکر ممدوح می‌کرد و بوی اندوه و غم اندرون او و خلاقت دلق ظاهر او می‌نمود کی آن شکرها لافست و دروغ
Story of the encomiast who from regard for reputation was thanking the object of his praise, while the scent (signs) of his inward grief and pain and the shabbiness of his outward garb showed that those expressions of gratitude were vain and false.
آن یکی با دلق آمد از عراق ** باز پرسیدند یاران از فراق
A certain man came (home) from ‘Iráq, (clad) in a tattered cloak: his friends inquired concerning (his) separation (from them).
گفت آری بد فراق الا سفر ** بود بر من بس مبارک مژده‌ور1740
“Yes,” he replied; “there was (the sorrow of) separation, but the journey was very blessed and fortunate for me,
که خلیفه داد ده خلعت مرا ** که قرینش باد صد مدح و ثنا
For the Caliph gave me ten robes of honour—may a hundred praises and laudations (ever) accompany him!”
شکرها و حمدها بر می‌شمرد ** تا که شکر از حد و اندازه ببرد
He was reciting expressions of gratitude and praise till he carried gratitude beyond bound and limit.
پس بگفتندش که احوال نژند ** بر دروغ تو گواهی می‌دهند
Then they said to him, “Thy wretched guise bears witness to thy mendacity.
تن برهنه سر برهنه سوخته ** شکر را دزدیده یا آموخته
(Thou art) naked, bare-headed, consumed (with afflictions): thou hast stolen (these) expressions of gratitude or learned (them by rote).
کو نشان شکر و حمد میر تو ** بر سر و بر پای بی توفیر تو1745
Where are the signs of the gratitude and praise due to thy prince on thy unplenished head and feet?
گر زبانت مدح آن شه می‌تند ** هفت اندامت شکایت می‌کند
If thy tongue is weaving (making up) praise of that king, (yet) thy seven members are complaining (of him).
در سخای آن شه و سلطان جود ** مر ترا کفشی و شلواری نبود
In the generosity of that king and sultan of munificence was there not (room for) a pair of shoes and trousers for thee?”
گفت من ایثار کردم آنچ داد ** میر تقصیری نکرد از افتقاد
He replied, “I gave away what he bestowed: the prince left nothing undone in the way of solicitude.
بستدم جمله عطاها از امیر ** بخش کردم بر یتیم و بر فقیر
I received all the presents from the prince and distributed them among the orphans and the poor.
مال دادم بستدم عمر دراز ** در جزا زیرا که بودم پاک‌باز1750
I gave the riches away and received long (everlasting) life in return, because I was utterly self-sacrificing.”
پس بگفتندش مبارک مال رفت ** چیست اندر باطنت این دود نفت
Then they said to him, “Bless thee! the riches are gone: what (then) is this naphtha-smoke within thee?
صد کراهت در درون تو چو خار ** کی بود انده نشان ابتشار
A hundred loathings like thorns are in thy heart: how should grief be the sign of rejoicing?
کو نشان عشق و ایثار و رضا ** گر درستست آنچ گفتی ما مضی
Where are the signs of love and charity and being pleased (with God), if what thou hast said of what passed is true?