من حفر برا نخواندی از خبر ** آنچ خواندی کن عمل جان پدر
Haven’t you read in the Traditions (of the Prophet), ‘Whoever digs a pit (for his brother will fall into it)’? Practise what you have read, O soul of your father!
این یکی حکمت چنین بد در قضا ** که ترا آورد سیلی بر قفا
This one judicial decision of yours was like this, for it has brought you a slap on the nape.
وای بر احکام دیگرهای تو ** تا چه آرد بر سر و بر پای تو
Alas for your other (unjust) decisions! (Consider) what (penalty) they will bring upon your head and feet.
ظالمی را رحم آری از کرم ** که برای نفقه بادت سه درم
From kindness you take pity on a wrong-doer, saying, ‘Mayst thou have three dirhems to spend (on food)!’
دست ظالم را ببر چه جای آن ** که بدست او نهی حکم و عنان 1575
Cut off the wrong-doer’s hand: what occasion is there for you to put the control and reins in his hand?
تو بدان بز مانی ای مجهول‌داد ** که نژاد گرگ را او شیر داد
O you from whom justice is unknown, you resemble the goat that gave her milk to the wolf-cub.”
جواب دادن قاضی صوفی را
The Cadi’s reply to the Súfi.
گفت قاضی واجب آیدمان رضا ** هر قفا و هر جفا کارد قضا
The Cadi said, “It is our duty to acquiesce, whatever slap or cruelty the (Divine) destiny may bring to pass.
خوش‌دلم در باطن از حکم زبر ** گرچه شد رویم ترش کالحق مر
I am inwardly pleased with the decision (inscribed) in the (Heavenly) Scrolls, though my face has become sour—for Truth is bitter.
این دلم باغست و چشمم ابروش ** ابر گرید باغ خندد شاد و خوش
This heart of mine is an orchard, and my eye is like the cloud: (when) the cloud weeps the orchard laughs joyously and happily.
سال قحط از آفتاب خیره‌خند ** باغها در مرگ و جان کندن رسند 1580
In a year of drought the orchards are reduced to death and agony by the sun laughing unconscionably.
ز امر حق وابکوا کثیرا خوانده‌ای ** چون سر بریان چه خندان مانده‌ای
You have read in God’s Commandment (the words) and weep ye much: why have you remained grinning like a roast (sheep’s) head?
روشنی خانه باشی هم‌چو شمع ** گر فرو پاشی تو هم‌چون شمع دمع
You will be the light of the house, like the candle, if like the candle you shed showers of tears.
آن ترش‌رویی مادر یا پدر ** حافظ فرزند شد از هر ضرر
The mother’s or father’s sourness of face preserves the child from every harm.
ذوق خنده دیده‌ای ای خیره‌خند ** ذوق گریه بین که هست آن کان قند
You have experienced the pleasure of laughing, O inordinate laugher: (now) experience the pleasure of weeping (and recognise) that it is a mine of sugar.
چون جهنم گریه آرد یاد آن ** پس جهنم خوشتر آید از جنان 1585
Since thinking of Hell causes weeping, therefore Hell is better than Paradise.
خنده‌ها در گریه‌ها آمد کتیم ** گنج در ویرانه‌ها جو ای سلیم
In tears there are laughters concealed: seek treasure amidst ruins, O simple (sincere) man.
ذوق در غمهاست پی گم کرده‌اند ** آب حیوان را به ظلمت برده‌اند
Pleasure is (concealed) in pains: the track has been lost, the Water of Life has been taken away into the (Land of) Darkness.
بازگونه نعل در ره تا رباط ** چشمها را چار کن در احتیاط
On the way to the Caravanseray the shoes are upside down: make your (two) eyes to be (as) four in precaution (against being deceived).
چشمها را چار کن در اعتبار ** یار کن با چشم خود دو چشم یار
Make your (two) eyes to be (as) four in careful consideration: join to your own eye (eyes) the two eyes of the Friend.
امرهم شوری بخوان اندر صحف ** یار را باش و مگوش از ناز اف 1590
Read in the pages (of the Qur’an) their affair is a matter for consultation: be (devoted) to the Friend and do not say to him disdainfully, ‘Fie!’
یار باشد راه را پشت و پناه ** چونک نیکو بنگری یارست راه
The Friend is the support and refuge on the Way: when you consider well; (you will see that) the Friend is the Way.
چونک در یاران رسی خامش نشین ** اندر آن حلقه مکن خود را نگین
When you come into a company of friends, sit silent: do not make yourself the bezel in that ring.
در نماز جمعه بنگر خوش به هوش ** جمله جمعند و یک‌اندیشه و خموش
At the Friday prayer-service look well and attentively: (you will see that) all are concentrated and possessed by a single thought and silent.
رختها را سوی خاموشی کشان ** چون نشان جویی مکن خود را نشان
Direct your course towards silence: when you seek the marks (of the Way), do not make yourself a mark (for attention).
گفت پیغامبر که در بحر هموم ** در دلالت دان تو یاران را نجوم 1595
The Prophet said, ‘Know that amidst the sea of cares (my) Companions are (as) stars in respect of guidance.’