یا کند بخل و عطاها کم دهد ** یا سخا آرد بنا موضع نهد1445
Either he behaves stingily and gives few presents, or he shows generosity and bestows (them) in the wrong place (unsuitably).
شاه را در خانه‌ی بیذق نهد ** این چنین باشد عطا که احمق دهد
He puts the king in the house (square) of the pawn: the gifts which a fool makes are like this.
حکم چون در دست گمراهی فتاد ** جاه پندارید در چاهی فتاد
When authority falls into the hands of one who has lost the (right) way, he deems it to be a high position (jáh), (but in reality) he has fallen into a pit (cháh).
راه نمی‌داند قلاووزی کند ** جان زشت او جهان‌سوزی کند
He does not know the way, (yet) he acts as guide: his wicked spirit makes a world-conflagration.
طفل راه فقر چون پیری گرفت ** پی‌روان را غول ادباری گرفت
When (one who is as) a child in the Way of (spiritual) poverty assumes the part of an Elder (Director of souls), the ghoul of unblessedness seizes those who follow (him).
که بیا تا ماه بنمایم ترا ** ماه را هرگز ندید آن بی‌صفا1450
“Come,” says he, “for I will show thee the moon”; (yet) that impure one never saw the moon.
چون نمایی چون ندیدستی به عمر ** عکس مه در آب هم ای خام غمر
How wilt thou show (the moon) when during (all) thy life thou hast not seen even the reflexion of the moon in the water, O half-baked dunce?
احمقان سرور شدستند و ز بیم ** عاقلان سرها کشیده در گلیم
The foolish have become leaders, and from fear (of them) the wise have drawn their heads into the cloak.
تفسیر یا ایها المزمل
Commentary on "O thou that wrappest thyself."
خواند مزمل نبی را زین سبب ** که برون آ از گلیم ای بوالهرب
For this reason He (God) called the Prophet muzzammil (one who wraps himself), saying, “Come forth from the cloak, O thou who art fond of taking flight.
سر مکش اندر گلیم و رو مپوش ** که جهان جسمیست سرگردان تو هوش
Do not draw thy head into the cloak and do not cover thy face, for the world is a reeling body: thou art the intelligence (rational spirit).