کشتی بی‌لنگر آمد مرد شر ** که ز باد کژ نیابد او حذر

The wicked man is an anchorless ship, for he finds no precaution (means of defence) against the perverse (contrary) wind.

لنگر عقلست عاقل را امان ** لنگری در یوزه کن از عاقلان

To the intelligent man the anchor of intelligence is security: beg (such) an anchor from the intelligent.

او مددهای خرد چون در ربود ** از خزینه در آن دریای جود

Since he (the Sage) has borne away the succours (supplies) of intelligence from the pearl-treasury of that Sea of Bounty,

زین چنین امداد دل پر فن شود ** بجهد از دل چشم هم روشن شود

By such succours (replenishments) the heart is filled with knowledge: it (that knowledge) shoots from the heart, and the eye too becomes illuminated,

زانک نور از دل برین دیده نشست ** تا چو دل شد دیده‌ی تو عاطلست 4315

Because the light from the heart has settled upon this eye so that your eye, having become the heart, is (physically) inactive.

دل چو بر انوار عقلی نیز زد ** زان نصیبی هم بدو دیده دهد

When the heart too has come into contact with the intellectual Lights, it bestows a portion thereof on the eyes also.

پس بدان کاب مبارک ز آسمان ** وحی دلها باشد و صدق بیان

Know, then, that the blessed Water from Heaven is the inspiration of (men's) hearts and the true explanation (of every mystery).

ما چو آن کره هم آب جو خوریم ** سوی آن وسواس طاعن ننگریم

Let us also, like that foal, drink the water of the stream; let us pay no regard to the evil suggestions of the railer.

پی‌رو پیغمبرانی ره سپر ** طعنه‌ی خلقان همه بادی شمر

(If) you are a follower of the prophets, tread the Way: deem all the railing of (human) creatures to be a (vain and empty) wind.

آن خداوندان که ره طی کرده‌اند ** گوش فا بانگ سگان کی کرده‌اند 4320

When have the Masters who have traversed the Way lent ear to the clamour of curs?

بقیه‌ی ذکر آن مهمان مسجد مهمان‌کش

The remainder of the story of the guest in the guest-killing mosque.

باز گو کان پاک‌باز شیرمرد ** اندر آن مسجد چه بنمودش چه کرد

Relate what appeared in the mosque to that self-sacrificing valiant man, and what he did.

خفت در مسجد خود او را خواب کو ** مرد غرقه گشته چون خسپد بجو

He slept in the mosque, (but) where (how) in sooth had he sleep? How should a submerged man sleep in the river?

خواب مرغ و ماهیان باشد همی ** عاشقان را زیر غرقاب غمی

Always, for the lovers (of God) beneath the flood of a (great) passion, there is (only) the sleep of birds and fishes.

نیمشب آواز با هولی رسید ** کایم آیم بر سرت ای مستفید

At midnight came an awful voice, “I come, I come upon thee, O thou that seekest advantage.”

پنج کرت این چنین آواز سخت ** می‌رسید و دل همی‌شد لخت‌لخت 4325

Five times came such a terrible voice, and his heart was being rent piecemeal.

تفسیر آیت واجلب علیهم بخیلک و رجلک

Commentary on the verse (of the Qur’án): “And raise the battle-cry against them with thy horsemen and men on foot.”

تو چو عزم دین کنی با اجتهاد ** دیو بانگت بر زند اندر نهاد

When you earnestly resolve to be religious, the Devil in your nature cries out at you,

که مرو زان سو بیندیش ای غوی ** که اسیر رنج و درویشی شوی

“Go not in that direction! Bethink you, O misguided one; for you will become captive to distress and poverty.

بی‌نوا گردی ز یاران وابری ** خوار گردی و پشیمانی خوری

You will become destitute, you will be cut off from friends, you will be despised, you will feel sorry.”

تو ز بیم بانگ آن دیو لعین ** وا گریزی در ضلالت از یقین

From fear of the outcry of that accursed Devil you flee away from certain truth into error,

که هلا فردا و پس فردا مراست ** راه دین پویم که مهلت پیش ماست 4330

Saying, “Ho, to-morrow is mine and after to-morrow: I will run in the Way of religion, I have (plenty of) time.”

مرگ بینی باز کو از چپ و راست ** می‌کشد همسایه را تا بانگ خاست

Then again you see Death killing your neighbours on left and right, so that the cry (of lamentation) is raised.

باز عزم دین کنی از بیم جان ** مرد سازی خویشتن را یک زمان

Now, in fear of (your) life, you resolve to be religious: for a while, you make yourself a (true) man;

پس سلح بر بندی از علم و حکم ** که من از خوفی نیارم پای کم

So you put on the armour of knowledge and wisdom, saying, “I will not shrink from any danger.”

باز بانگی بر زند بر تو ز مکر ** که بترس و باز گرد از تیغ فقر

Again he (the Devil) deceitfully cries out at you—“Be afraid and turn away from the sword of poverty!”

باز بگریزی ز راه روشنی ** آن سلاح علم و فن را بفکنی 4335

Once more you flee from the Way of Light and cast off that armour of knowledge and virtue.