خدمت شیخی بزرگی قایدی ** عام نارد بی‌قرینه‌ی فاسدی

The vulgar do not pay homage to a venerable Shaykh and leader without some mischievous idea associated (with their homage).

خیرشان اینست چه بود شرشان ** قبحشان را باز دان از فرشان

This is their good: what must their evil be? Distinguish their (inward) foulness from their (outward) fairness.”

مثل

Parable.

سوی جامع می‌شد آن یک شهریار ** خلق را می‌زد نقیب و چوبدار 2465

A king was going to the congregational mosque, and the marshals and mace-bearers were beating the people off.

آن یکی را سر شکستی چوب‌زن ** و آن دگر را بر دریدی پیرهن

The wielder of the stick would break the head of one and tear to bits the shirt of another.

در میانه بی‌دلی ده چوب خورد ** بی‌گناهی که برو از راه برد

A poor wretch amidst the throng received ten blows with the stick without (having committed) any offence. “Begone,” they cried, “get out of the way!”

خون چکان رو کرد با شاه و بگفت ** ظلم ظاهر بین چه پرسی از نهفت

Dripping blood, he turned his face to the king and said, “Behold the manifest iniquity: why ask of that which is hidden?

خیر تو این است جامع می‌روی ** تا چه باشد شر و وزرت ای غوی

This is thy good: (thou doest this whilst) thou art going to the mosque; what must thy evil and burden (of sin) be, O misguided one?”

یک سلامی نشنود پیر از خسی ** تا نپیچد عاقبت از وی بسی 2470

The Pír (Elder) never hears a salaam from a base fellow without being exceedingly tormented by him in the end.

گرگ دریابد ولی را به بود ** زانک دریابد ولی را نفس بد

(If) a wolf catch a saint, it is better than that the saint should be caught by the wicked carnal soul,

زانک گرگ ارچه که بس استمگریست ** لیکش آن فرهنگ و کید و مکر نیست

Because, though the wolf does great violence, yet it has not the same knowledge and craft and cunning;