بیست از دزدان بدند آنجا و بیش ** بخش می‌کردند مسروقات خویش
In that place there were twenty thieves and more, dividing the things they had stolen.
شحنه را غماز آگه کرده بود ** مردم شحنه بر افتادند زود
The perfect had been apprised by an informer: the prefect’s men quickly fell upon them.
هم بدان‌جا پای چپ و دست راست ** جمله را ببرید و غوغایی بخاست1680
He (the officer in charge) cut off on the spot the left feet and right hands of them all, and a great hubbub arose.
دست زاهد هم بریده شد غلط ** پاش را می‌خواست هم کردن سقط
The ascetic’s hand too was cut off by mistake; he (the officer) was about to make his foot also fall (to the ground),
در زمان آمد سواری بس گزین ** بانگ بر زد بر عوان کای سگ ببین
(When), just in time, a very elect cavalier came up and shouted at the officer, “Look out, O dog!
این فلان شیخست از ابدال خدا ** دست او را تو چرا کردی جدا
This is such-and-such a Shaykh, (one) of the Abdál (exalted saints) of God: why have you severed his hand?”
آن عوان بدرید جامه تیز رفت ** پیش شحنه داد آگاهیش تفت
The officer rent his garment and went speedily to the prefect and gave him the information at once.
شحنه آمد پا برهنه عذرخواه ** که ندانستم خدا بر من گواه1685
The prefect came bare-footed, begging pardon. “I did not know,” he said; “God will bear me witness.
هین بحل کن مر مرا زین کار زشت ** ای کریم و سرور اهل بهشت
Pray now absolve me from this foul deed, O generous man and chief of the (destined) inhabitants of Paradise!”
گفت می‌دانم سبب این نیش را ** می‌شناسم من گناه خویش را
He (the Shaykh) said, “I know the cause of this (wound inflicted by the) knife: I recognise my sin.
من شکستم حرمت ایمان او ** پس یمینم برد دادستان او
I violated the sanctity of His oaths: therefore His judgement (sentence) took my right hand away.
من شکستم عهد و دانستم بدست ** تا رسید آن شومی جرات بدست
I broke my covenant and knew ‘twas evil (to break it), so that (in consequence of my breaking it) that ill-omened audacity reached (recoiled upon) my hand.
دست ما و پای ما و مغز و پوست ** باد ای والی فدای حکم دوست1690
May my hand and my foot and brain and skin be offered in sacrifice, O governer, to the decree of the Beloved!
قسم من بود این ترا کردم حلال ** تو ندانستی ترا نبود وبال
‘Twas my (destined) lot. I absolve thee from this. Thou didst not know: thou hast no guilt (to answer for).
و آنک او دانست او فرمان‌رواست ** با خدا سامان پیچیدن کجاست
And He that knew, He is the One whose command is (every-where) carried into execution: where is the power of struggling with God?”
ای بسا مرغی پریده دانه‌جو ** که بریده حلق او هم حلق او
Oh, many the bird flying in search of grain whose gullet was cut by its gullet (greediness)!
ای بسا مرغی ز معده وز مغص ** بر کنار بام محبوس قفص
Oh, many the bird that, through its belly (appetite) and pangs of hunger, was made captive in a cage on the edge of a terrace!
ای بسا ماهی در آب دوردست ** گشته از حرص گلو ماخوذ شست1695
Oh, many the fish that, because of its gullet’s greed, was caught by a hook in water hard to reach!
ای بسا مستور در پرده بده ** شومی فرج و گلو رسوا شده
Oh, many the chaste (woman) in a curtained bower that was brought to open shame by the misfortune of lust and gluttony! [Oh, many the chaste (woman) in a curtained bower that was brought to open shame by the misfortune of (her) vulva and throat!]
ای بسا قاضی حبر نیک‌خو ** از گلو و رشوتی او زردرو
Oh, many the learned and honest judge that was disgraced by greed and bribery!
بلک در هاروت و ماروت آن شراب ** از عروج چرخشان شد سد باب
Nay, in the case of Hárút and Márút that wine (of lust) debarred them from ascending to Heaven.
با یزید از بهر این کرد احتراز ** دید در خود کاهلی اندر نماز
On this account Báyazíd took precaution: he observed in himself remissness in (the performance of) the ritual prayer.
از سبب اندیشه کرد آن ذو لباب ** دید علت خوردن بسیار از آب1700
(When) that possessor of the marrow (of spiritual knowledge) meditated concerning the cause, he perceived that the cause was (too) much water-drinking.
گفت تا سالی نخواهم خورد آب ** آنچنان کرد و خدایش داد تاب
He said, “For a year I will not drink water.” He acted accordingly, and God bestowed on him the power (to abstain).
این کمینه جهد او بد بهر دین ** گشت او سلطان و قطب العارفین
This was his least penance for the Religion’s sake: he became a (spiritual) sultan and the Pole of the Gnostics.