در ره تاریک مردی جامه کن ** منتظر استاده بود از بهر فن
A clothes-robber stood waiting on the dark road to practise his craft.
در ربود او از سرش دستار را ** پس دوان شد تا بسازد کار را1585
He snatched the turban from his head, and then started to run in order that he might settle the business.
پس فقیهش بانگ برزد کای پسر ** باز کن دستار را آنگه ببر
Thereupon the divine shouted at him, saying, “O son, undo the turban (first), then take it (away with you).
این چنین که چار پره می‌پری ** باز کن آن هدیه را که می‌بری
Even as you are flying with four wings (very rapidly), (with the same speed) undo the gift which you are taking away.
باز کن آن را به دست خود بمال ** آنگهان خواهی ببر کردم حلال
Undo it and rub (feel) with your hand, then take it if you like: I sanction (that).”
چونک بازش کرد آنک می‌گریخت ** صد هزاران ژنده اندر ره بریخت
When he who was fleeing undid it, a hundred thousand rags dropped on the road.
زان عمامه‌ی زفت نابایست او ** ماند یک گز کهنه‌ای در دست او1590
Of that big improper turban of his there remained in his (the robber's) hand (only) an ell of old cloth.
بر زمین زد خرقه را کای بی‌عیار ** زین دغل ما را بر آوردی ز کار
He dashed the rag on the ground, saying, “O worthless man, by this fraud you have put me out of business (deprived me of profit).”
نصیحت دنیا اهل دنیا را به زبان حال و بی‌وفایی خود را نمودن به وفا طمع دارندگان ازو
The World's mute admonition to worldlings, and how it displays its faithlessness to those who have hope of its keeping faith (with them).
گفت بنمودم دغل لیکن ترا ** از نصیحت باز گفتم ماجرا
He (the divine) said, “I defrauded (you), but (at the same time) I declared to you the (truth of the) matter by way of admonition.”
هم‌چنین دنیا اگر چه خوش شکفت ** بانگ زد هم بی‌وفایی خویش گفت
Likewise the World, though it blossomed delightfully (made a fair show), at the same time uttered a (warning) cry and declared its faithlessness.
اندرین کون و فساد ای اوستاد ** آن دغل کون و نصیحت آن فساد
In this (realm of) existence and corruption, O master, existence is the fraud and that corruption is the admonition.
کون می‌گوید بیا من خوش‌پیم ** وآن فسادش گفته رو من لا شی‌ام1595
Existence says, “Come, I am delectable,” and its corruption says, “Go, I am nothing.”
ای ز خوبی بهاران لب گزان ** بنگر آن سردی و زردی خزان
O thou that bitest thy lip (in admiration) at the beauty of spring, look on the coldness and paleness of autumn.
روز دیدی طلعت خورشید خوب ** مرگ او را یاد کن وقت غروب
In the daytime thou didst deem the countenance of the sun beauteous: remember its death in the moment of setting.
بدر را دیدی برین خوش چار طاق ** حسرتش را هم ببین اندر محاق
Thou sawest the full-moon on this lovely firmament: observe also its anguish (caused by the loss of visibility) during the interlunar period.
کودکی از حسن شد مولای خلق ** بعد فردا شد خرف رسوای خلق
A boy, on account of his beauty, became the lord of the people: after the morrow he became doting and exposed to the scorn of the people.
گر تن سیمین‌تنان کردت شکار ** بعد پیری بین تنی چون پنبه‌زار1600
If the body of those in the fresh bloom of youth has made thee a prey, after (it has come to) old age behold a body (bleached) like a cotton plantation.
ای بدیده لوتهای چرب خیز ** فضله‌ی آن را ببین در آب‌ریز
O thou who hast seen rich viands, arise and see the residue thereof in the latrine.
مر خبث را گو که آن خوبیت کو ** بر طبق آن ذوق و آن نغزی و بو
Say to the filth, “Where is that beauty of thine—the savour and goodliness and (sweet) scent (which thou hadst) in the dish?”
گوید او آن دانه بد من دام آن ** چون شدی تو صید شد دانه نهان
It replies, “That (beauty) was the bait: I was its trap: since thou hast fallen a prey (to it), the bait has become hidden.”
بس انامل رشک استادان شده ** در صناعت عاقبت لرزان شده
Many fingers that in handicraft (skill and dexterity) were the envy of master craftsmen have at last become trembling.
نرگس چشم خمار هم‌چو جان ** آخر اعمش بین و آب از وی چکان1605
The soul-like intoxicating narcissus-eye (of the beloved)—see it dimmed at last and water trickling from it.
حیدری کاندر صف شیران رود ** آخر او مغلوب موشی می‌شود
The lion (hero) who advances into the ranks of lions (valiant foes)—at last he is conquered by a mouse.
طبع تیز دوربین محترف ** چون خر پیرش ببین آخر خرف
The acute, far-seeing, artful genius—behold it at last imbecile as an old ass.
زلف جعد مشکبار عقل‌بر ** آخرا چون دم زشت خنگ خر
The curly lock that sheds (a fragrance of) musk and takes away the reason—at last it is like the ugly white tail of a donkey.