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;

ور عصای حزم و استدلال نیست ** بی عصاکش بر سر هر ره مه‌ایست

And if there is no staff of prudence and judgement, do not stand on every road without a guide.

گام زان سان نه که نابینا نهد ** تا که پا از چاه و از سگ وا رهد

Step in the same fashion as a blind man steps, in order that your foot may escape from the pit and the dog.

لرز لرزان و بترس و احتیاط ** می‌نهد پا تا نیفتد در خباط 280

He (the blind man) plants his foot tremblingly and with fear and precaution, so that he may not fall into derangement.

ای ز دودی جسته در ناری شده ** لقمه جسته لقمه‌ی ماری شده

O you who have jumped away from some smoke and fallen into a fire, you who have sought a mouthful (of food) and become a mouthful for a snake,

قصه‌ی اهل سبا و طاغی کردن نعمت ایشان را و در رسیدن شومی طغیان و کفران در ایشان و بیان فضیلت شکر و وفا

(Story of the people of Sabá and how prosperity made them forward.)

تو نخواندی قصه‌ی اهل سبا ** یا بخواندی و ندیدی جز صدا

You have not read the story of the people of Sabá, or you have read it and seen (heard) naught but the echo.