گوشه‌ای رو نامه را بگشا بخوان ** بین که حرفش هست در خورد شهان1565
Go into a corner, open the letter, read (it), see whether its‘ words are suitable to kings.
گر نباشد درخور آن را پاره کن ** نامه‌ی دیگر نویس و چاره کن
If it be not suitable, tear it in pieces and write another letter and remedy (the fault).
لیک فتح نامه‌ی تن زپ مدان ** ورنه هر کس سر دل دیدی عیان
But do not think it is easy to open the letter which is the body; otherwise every one would plainly see the secret of the heart.
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.”
همچنین دنیا اگر چه خوش شکفت ** بانگ زد هم بی‌وفایی خویش گفت
Likewise the World, though it blossomed delightfully (made a fair show), at the same time uttered a (warning) cry and declared its faithlessness.
اندرین کون و فساد ای اوستاد ** آن دغل کون و نصیحت آن فساد
In this (realm of) existence and corruption, O master, existence is the fraud and that corruption is the admonition.
کون می‌گوید بیا من خوش‌پیم ** وآن فسادش گفته رو من لا شی‌ام1595
Existence says, “Come, I am delectable,” and its corruption says, “Go, I am nothing.”
ای ز خوبی بهاران لب گزان ** بنگر آن سردی و زردی خزان
O thou that bitest thy lip (in admiration) at the beauty of spring, look on the coldness and paleness of autumn.
روز دیدی طلعت خورشید خوب ** مرگ او را یاد کن وقت غروب
In the daytime thou didst deem the countenance of the sun beauteous: remember its death in the moment of setting.
بدر را دیدی برین خوش چار طاق ** حسرتش را هم ببین اندر محاق
Thou sawest the full-moon on this lovely firmament: observe also its anguish (caused by the loss of visibility) during the interlunar period.
کودکی از حسن شد مولای خلق ** بعد فردا شد خرف رسوای خلق
A boy, on account of his beauty, became the lord of the people: after the morrow he became doting and exposed to the scorn of the people.
گر تن سیمین‌تنان کردت شکار ** بعد پیری بین تنی چون پنبه‌زار1600
If the body of those in the fresh bloom of youth has made thee a prey, after (it has come to) old age behold a body (bleached) like a cotton plantation.
ای بدیده لوتهای چرب خیز ** فضله‌ی آن را ببین در آب‌ریز
O thou who hast seen rich viands, arise and see the residue thereof in the latrine.
مر خبث را گو که آن خوبیت کو ** بر طبق آن ذوق و آن نغزی و بو
Say to the filth, “Where is that beauty of thine—the savour and goodliness and (sweet) scent (which thou hadst) in the dish?”
گوید او آن دانه بد من دام آن ** چون شدی تو صید شد دانه نهان
It replies, “That (beauty) was the bait: I was its trap: since thou hast fallen a prey (to it), the bait has become hidden.”
بس انامل رشک استادان شده ** در صناعت عاقبت لرزان شده
Many fingers that in handicraft (skill and dexterity) were the envy of master craftsmen have at last become trembling.
نرگس چشم خمار هم‌چو جان ** آخر اعمش بین و آب از وی چکان1605
The soul-like intoxicating narcissus-eye (of the beloved)—see it dimmed at last and water trickling from it.
حیدری کاندر صف شیران رود ** آخر او مغلوب موشی می‌شود
The lion (hero) who advances into the ranks of lions (valiant foes)—at last he is conquered by a mouse.
طبع تیز دوربین محترف ** چون خر پیرش ببین آخر خرف
The acute, far-seeing, artful genius—behold it at last imbecile as an old ass.
زلف جعد مشکبار عقل‌بر ** آخرا چون دم زشت خنگ خر
The curly lock that sheds (a fragrance of) musk and takes away the reason—at last it is like the ugly white tail of a donkey.
خوش ببین کونش ز اول باگشاد ** وآخر آن رسواییش بین و فساد
Observe its (the World's) existence, (how) at first (it is) pleasing and joyous; and observe its shamefulness and corruption in the end;
زانک او بنمود پیدا دام را ** پیش تو بر کند سبلت خام را1610
For it showed the snare plainly: it plucked out the fool's moustache in thy presence.
پس مگو دنیا به تزویرم فریفت ** ورنه عقل من ز دامش می‌گریخت
Do not say, then, “The World deceived me by its imposture; otherwise, my reason would have fled from its snare.”
طوق زرین و حمایل بین هله ** غل و زنجیری شدست و سلسله
Come now, see (how) the golden collar and shoulder-belt have become a shackle and gyve and chain.
همچنین هر جزو عالم می‌شمر ** اول و آخر در آرش در نظر
Reckon every particle of the World (to be) like this: bring its beginning and its end into consideration.
هر که آخربین‌تر او مسعودتر ** هر که آخربین‌تر او مطرودتر
The more any one regards the end (ákhir) the more blessed he is; the more any one regards the stable (ákhur) the more banned he is.