What gifts (can we make)? We are continually in beggary, we are slitting the vein of (slaughtering) the gnat in the air.
چه عطا ما بر گدایی می‌‌تنیم ** مر مگس را در هوا رگ می‌‌زنیم
If any guest arrive, if I am I (as sure as I am living) (when) he goes to sleep at night, I will tear the tattered cloak from his body.
گر کسی مهمان رسد گر من منم ** شب بخسبد قصد دلق او کنم
How disciples (novices in Súfism) are beguiled in their need by false impostors and imagine them to be Shaykhs and venerable personages and (saints) united (with God), and do not know the difference between fact (naqd) and fiction (naql) and between what is tied on (artificially) and what has grown up (naturally).
مغرور شدن مریدان محتاج به مدعیان مزور و ایشان را شیخ و محتشم و واصل پنداشتن و نقل را از نقد فرق نادانستن و بر بسته را از بر رسته
For this reason the wise have said with knowledge, ‘One must become the guest of those who confer benefits.’
بهر این گفتند دانایان به فن ** میهمان محسنان باید شدن
Thou art the disciple and guest of one who, from his vileness, robs thee of all thou hast.2265
تو مرید و میهمان آن کسی ** کاو ستاند حاصلت را از خسی
He is not strong: how should he make thee strong? He does not give light, (nay) he makes thee dark.
نیست چیره چون ترا چیره کند ** نور ندهد مر ترا تیره کند
Since he had no light (in himself), how in association (with him) should others obtain light from him?
چون و را نوری نبود اندر قران ** نور کی یابند از وی دیگران
(He is) like the half-blind healer of eyes: what should he put in (people's) eyes except jasper?
همچو اعمش کو کند داروی چشم ** چه کشد در چشمها الا که یشم
Such is our state in poverty and affliction: may no guest be beguiled by us!
حال ما این است در فقر و عنا ** هیچ مهمانی مبا مغرور ما
If thou hast never seen a ten years' famine in (visible) forms, open thine eyes and look at us.2270
قحط ده سال ار ندیدی در صور ** چشمها بگشا و اندر ما نگر
Our outward appearance is like the inward reality of the impostor: darkness in his heart, his tongue flashy (plausible).
ظاهر ما چون درون مدعی ** در دلش ظلمت زبانش شعشعی