این درشت و زشت‌تر یا خود طلاق ** این ترا مکروه‌تر یا خود فراق
Is this (chemise) rougher and nastier, or divorce? Is this (chemise) more odious to you, or separation?”
هم‌چنان ای خواجه‌ی تشنیع زن ** از بلا و فقر و از رنج و محن
Even so, O Khwája who art reviling on account of affliction and poverty and distress and tribulations,
لا شک این ترک هوا تلخی‌دهست ** لیک از تلخی بعد حق بهست
No doubt this renunciation of sensuality gives bitter pain, but ’tis better than the bitterness of being far from God.
گر جهاد و صوم سختست و خشن ** لیک این بهتر ز بعد ممتحن
If fighting (against the flesh) and fasting are hard and rough, yet these are better than being far from Him who inflicts tribulation.
رنج کی ماند دمی که ذوالمنن ** گویدت چونی تو ای رنجور من 1770
How should pain endure for a single moment when the Giver of favours says to thee, “How art thou, O My sick one?”
ور نگوید کت نه آن فهم و فن است ** لیک آن ذوق تو پرسش کردنست
And (even) if He say (it) not, because thou hast not the understanding and knowledge (needed) for it, yet thy inward feeling (of supplication) is (equivalent to His) inquiring (after thee).
آن ملیحان که طبیبان دل‌اند ** سوی رنجوران به پرسش مایل‌اند
Those beauteous ones who are spiritual physicians turn towards the sick to inquire (after them);
وز حذر از ننگ و از نامی کنند ** چاره‌ای سازند و پیغامی کنند
And if they be afraid of (incurring) disgrace and (loss of) reputation, they devise some means and send a message;
ورنه در دلشان بود آن مفتکر ** نیست معشوقی ز عاشق بی‌خبر
Or if not, that (care for the sick) is pondered in their hearts: no beloved is unaware (forgetful) of his lover.
ای تو جویای نوادر داستان ** هم فسانه‌ی عشق‌بازان را بخوان 1775
O thou who desirest (to hear) a wondrous tale, read the story of them that play the game of love.