زانک قفل صعب و پر پیچیده بود ** از میان قفلها بگزیده بود

For it was a formidable lock with intricate bolts: he (Ayáz) had selected it from (many other) locks,

نه ز بخل سیم و مال و زر خام ** از برای کتم آن سر از عوام

Not that he was avaricious of silver and riches and crude (uncoined) gold, (but) in order to hide that secret (of his) from the vulgar,

که گروهی بر خیال بد تنند ** قوم دیگر نام سالوسم کنند

“Lest” (so he thought) “some people imagine evil, (while) others call me a hypocrite.”

پیش با همت بود اسرار جان ** از خسان محفوظ‌تر از لعل کان 2055

With the man of lofty aspiration the soul's secrets are kept from the base (worldlings) more safely than the ruby in the mine.

زر به از جانست پیش ابلهان ** زر نثار جان بود نزد شهان

To fools gold seems better than the soul; in the opinion of (spiritual) kings gold is to be scattered on the soul (as an offering).

می شتابیدند تفت از حرص زر ** عقلشان میگفت نه آهستهتر

In greed of gold they (the officers) were hastening rapidly (to the chamber), (though) their reason was saying, “No; not so fast.”

حرس تازد بیهده سوی سراب ** عقل گوید نیک بین کان نیست آب

Greed runs in vain towards the mirage, (though) reason says, "Look carefully: it is not water."

حرص غالب بود و زر چون جان شده ** نعره‌ی عقل آن زمان پنهان شده

Greed was predominant (in them), and gold had become (dear to them) as their souls: at that moment the cry of reason was unheard.

گشته صدتو حرص و غوغاهای او ** گشته پنهان حکمت و ایمای او 2060

Greed and its clamours had become hundredfold; wisdom and its suggestions had vanished,

تا که در چاه غرور اندر فتد ** آنگه از حکمت ملامت بشنود

To the end that he (the greedy man) may fall into the pit of delusion, and then hearken to the reproaches of Wisdom.