از خجالت باز گفت او خواجه را ** چند وعده چند بفریبی مرا

From shame he again said to the Khwája, “How long (nothing but) promises? How long will you deceive me?”

گفت خواجه جسم و جانم وصل‌جوست ** لیک هر تحویل اندر حکم هوست

The Khwája said, “My body and soul are eager for the meeting, but every change depends on the decree of Him (God).

آدمی چون کشتی است و بادبان ** تا کی آرد باد را آن بادران 255

Man is like a ship or sail: (he must wait) to see when the Driver of the wind shall send the (favourable) breeze.”

باز سوگندان بدادش کای کریم ** گیر فرزندان بیا بنگر نعیم

Once more he (the countryman) adjured him, crying, “O generous man, take your children and come and behold the pleasures (of the country).”

دست او بگرفت سه کرت بعهد ** کالله الله زو بیا بنمای جهد

He took his hand three times in covenant, saying, “In God's name, come quickly, make the utmost effort!”

بعد ده سال و بهر سالی چنین ** لابه‌ها و وعده‌های شکرین

After ten years—and every year the same sugared entreaties and promises—

کودکان خواجه گفتند ای پدر ** ماه و ابر و سایه هم دارد سفر

The Khwája's children said, “O father, the moon and the clouds and the shadows too have their journeys.

حقها بر وی تو ثابت کرده‌ای ** رنجها در کار او بس برده‌ای 260

You have laid obligations on him, you have taken great pains on his account,

او همی‌خواهد که بعضی حق آن ** وا گزارد چون شوی تو میهمان

And he wishes to repay some part of that obligation when you become his guest.

بس وصیت کرد ما را او نهان ** که کشیدش سوی ده لابه‌کنان

He gave us many injunctions in secret: ‘Bring him to the country,’ said he, ‘coaxing (him to come).’”

گفت حقست این ولی ای سیبویه ** اتق من شر من احسنت الیه

He (the townsman) said, “This is true, but, O Síbawayh, be on thy guard against the malice of him to whom thou hast shown kindness.

دوستی تخم دم آخر بود ** ترسم از وحشت که آن فاسد شود

Love is the seed (that bears fruit at the moment) of the last breath: I fear that it may be corrupted by estrangement.”

صحبتی باشد چو شمشیر قطوع ** همچو دی در بوستان و در زروع 265

There is a friendship like a cutting sword, (destructive) as December in the gardens and cornfields;

صحبتی باشد چو فصل نوبهار ** زو عمارتها و دخل بی‌شمار

There is a friendship like the season of spring, whence (come) restorations and produce incalculable.

حزم آن باشد که ظن بد بری ** تا گریزی و شوی از بد بری

Prudence is this, that you think evil, so that you may flee and become quit of evil.

حزم س الظن گفتست آن رسول ** هر قدم را دام می‌دان ای فضول

The Prophet has said, “Prudence is (consists in) thinking evil”: know that for every footstep there is a snare, O fool!

روی صحرا هست هموار و فراخ ** هر قدم دامیست کم ران اوستاخ

The surface of the plateau is level and broad, (but at) every step there is a snare: do not advance boldly.

آن بز کوهی دود که دام کو ** چون بتازد دامش افتد در گلو 270

The mountain-goat runs on, saying, “Where is the snare?” As it speeds onward, the snare lights on its throat.

آنک می‌گفتی که کو اینک ببین ** دشت می‌دیدی نمی‌دیدی کمین

O thou who saidst “Where?” look and see! Thou sawest the plain, (but) thou didst not see the ambush.

بی کمین و دام و صیاد ای عیار ** دنبه کی باشد میان کشت‌زار

Without ambush and snare and hunter, O cunning one, how should there be a sheep's tail (laid in a trap) amidst the cornfield?

آنک گستاخ آمدند اندر زمین ** استخوان و کله‌هاشان را ببین

They that came along boldly on the earth—see their bones and skulls!

چون به گورستان روی ای مرتضا ** استخوانشان را بپرس از ما مضی

When you go to the graveyard, O you with whom God is pleased, ask their bones concerning that which is past,

تا بظاهر بینی آن مستان کور ** چون فرو رفتند در چاه غرور 275

That you may see clearly how those blind intoxicated men went down into the pit of delusion.

چشم اگر داری تو کورانه میا ** ور نداری چشم دست آور عصا

If you have eyes, do not walk blindly; and if you have not eyes, take a staff in your hand.

آن عصای حزم و استدلال را ** چون نداری دید می‌کن پیشوا

When you have not the staff of prudence and judgement, make the (seer's) eye your leader;