نیم شهر از شعله‌‌ها آتش گرفت ** آب می‌‌ترسید از آن و می‌‌شگفت‌‌

Half the city caught fire from the flames: water was afraid of it (the fire) and amazed.

مشکهای آب و سرکه می‌‌زدند ** بر سر آتش کسان هوشمند 3710

Some intelligent persons were throwing skins of water and vinegar on the fire,

آتش از استیزه افزون می‌‌شدی ** می‌‌رسید او را مدد از بی‌‌حدی‌‌

(But) out of spite (obstinacy) the fire was increasing: aid was coming to it from One who is infinite.

خلق آمد جانب عمر شتاب ** کاتش ما می‌‌نمیرد هیچ از آب‌‌

The people came in haste to ‘Umar, saying, “Our fire will not be quenched at all by water.”

گفت آن آتش ز آیات خداست ** شعله‌‌ای از آتش بخل شماست‌‌

He said, “That fire is one of God's signs: ’tis a flame from the fire of your avarice.

آب بگذارید و نان قسمت کنید ** بخل بگذارید اگر آل منید

What are water and vinegar? Deal out bread (in charity), discard avarice if ye are my people (followers).”

خلق گفتندش که در بگشوده‌‌ایم ** ما سخی و اهل فتوت بوده‌‌ایم‌‌ 3715

The folk said to him, “We have opened our doors, we have been bountiful and devoted to generosity.”

گفت نان در رسم و عادت داده‌‌اید ** دست از بهر خدا نگشاده‌‌اید

He replied, “Ye have given bread by rule and habit, ye have not opened your hands for the sake of God—

بهر فخر و بهر بوش و بهر ناز ** نه از برای ترس و تقوی و نیاز

(Only) for glory and for ostentation and for pride, not because of fear and piety and supplication.”

مال تخم است و به هر شوره منه ** تیغ را در دست هر ره زن مده‌‌

Wealth is seed, and do not lay it in every salty ground: do not put a sword in the hand of every highwayman.