گفت سایل هم تو نیز ای پهلوان ** گفت من هم بوده‌ام دهری شبان

گفت سایل هم تو نیز ای پهلوان ** گفت من هم بوده‌ام دهری شبان 3290

A questioner said, “Even thou, O man of might?” “I too,” he replied, “was a shepherd for a long while.”

تا شود پیدا وقار و صبرشان ** کردشان پیش از نبوت حق شبان

In order that their (the prophets') calmness and fortitude should be displayed, God made them shepherds before (investing them with) prophethood.

هر امیری کو شبانی بشر ** آن‌چنان آرد که باشد متمر

Every prince who performs the task of shepherding mankind in such wise that he obeys the Commandments (of God),

حلم موسی‌وار اندر رعی خود ** او به جا آرد به تدبیر و خرد

(And) in tending them with foresight and understanding shows a forbearance like that of Moses,

لاجرم حقش دهد چوپانیی ** بر فراز چرخ مه روحانیی

Inevitably God will bestow on him a spiritual shepherd's office (exalted) above the sphere of the moon,

آنچنان که انبیا را زین رعا ** بر کشید و داد رعی اصفیا 3295

Even as He raised the prophets from this herding (of sheep) and gave them the task of tending the righteous.

خواجه باری تو درین چوپانیت ** کردی آنچ کور گردد شانیت

“Thou, in short, O Khwája, hast performed in thy shepherding (of the poor) that which causes him that hates thee to become blind (utterly confounded).

دانم آنجا در مکافات ایزدت ** سروری جاودانه بخشدت

I know that God will give thee yonder an everlasting sovereignty in compensation.

بر امید کف چون دریای تو ** بر وظیفه دادن و ایفای تو

In hope of thy (open) hand as (bountiful as) the ocean and (in reliance) upon thy giving (me) a stipend and discharging (my obligations) in full,

وام کردم نه هزار از زر گزاف ** تو کجایی تا شود این درد صاف

I recklessly incurred debts (amounting to) nine thousand pieces of gold: where art thou, that these dregs may become clear?