دست پیر از غایبان کوتاه نیست ** دست او جز قبضه‌‌ی الله نیست‌‌

دست پیر از غایبان کوتاه نیست ** دست او جز قبضه‌‌ی الله نیست‌‌ 2975

The hand of the Pír is not withdrawn from the absent (those who are not under his authority): his hand is naught but the grasp of God.

غایبان را چون چنین خلعت دهند ** حاضران از غایبان لا شک بهند

Inasmuch as they give such a robe of honour to the absent, (what must they give their disciples?): undoubtedly the present are better than the absent.

غایبان را چون نواله می‌‌دهند ** پیش مهمان تا چه نعمتها نهند

Since they are bestowing (spiritual) food on the absent, see what bounties they must lay before the guest.

کو کسی که پیش شه بندد کمر ** تا کسی که هست بیرون سوی در

Where is one that girds himself (for service) before the king to (i.e. how far superior is he to) one that is outside the door?

چون گزیدی پیر نازک دل مباش ** سست و ریزیده چو آب و گل مباش‌‌

When thou hast chosen thy Pír, be not faint-hearted, be not weak as water and crumbly as earth.

گر بهر زخمی تو پر کینه شوی ** پس کجا بی‌‌صیقل آیینه شوی‌‌ 2980

If thou art enraged by every blow, then how wilt thou become a (clear) mirror without being polished?

کبودی زدن قزوینی بر شانگاه صورت شیر و پشیمان شدن او به سبب زخم سوزن‌‌

How the man of Qazwín was tattooing the figure of a lion in blue on his shoulders, and (then) repenting because of the (pain of the) needle-pricks.

این حکایت بشنو از صاحب بیان ** در طریق و عادت قزوینیان‌‌

Hear from the narrator this story about the way and custom of the people of Qazwín.

بر تن و دست و کتفها بی‌‌گزند ** از سر سوزن کبودیها زنند

They tattoo themselves in blue with the point of a needle on body and hand and shoulders, so as to suffer no injury.

سوی دلاکی بشد قزوینیی ** که کبودم زن بکن شیرینیی‌‌

A certain man of Qazwín went to a barber and said, “Tattoo me (and) do it charmingly (artistically).”

گفت چه صورت زنم ای پهلوان ** گفت بر زن صورت شیر ژیان‌‌

“O valiant sir,” said he, “what figure shall I tattoo?” He answered, “Prick in the figure of a furious lion.