Read with your soul the mystery of “it behoves not,” do not deem the inward meaning of “after me” (to be derived) from his (Solomon's) avarice.
نکته‌‌ی لا ينبغی می‌‌خوان به جان ** سر من بعدی ز بخل او مدان
Nay, but in sovereignty he saw a hundred dangers: the kingdom of this world was (has ever been), hair by hair (in every respect), fear for one's head.
بلکه اندر ملک دید او صد خطر ** مو به مو ملک جهان بد بیم سر
Fear for head with fear for heart with fear for religion— there is no trial for us like this.
بیم سر با بیم سر با بیم دین ** امتحانی نیست ما را مثل این
Therefore one must needs possess the high aspiration of a Solomon in order to escape from these myriads of colours and perfumes (enticing vanities).
پس سلیمان همتی باید که او ** بگذرد زین صد هزاران رنگ و بو
Even with such (great) strength (of spirit) as he had, the waves of that (worldly) kingdom were stifling his breath (choking him).2610
با چنان قوت که او را بود هم ** موج آن ملکش فرومی‌‌بست دم
Since dust settled on him from this sorrow, he had compassion for all the kings of the world.
چون بر او بنشست زین اندوه گرد ** بر همه شاهان عالم رحم کرد
He interceded (with God on their behalf) and said, “Give this kingdom and banner (to them) with (accompanied by) the (spiritual) perfection which Thou hast given to me.
شد شفیع و گفت این ملک و لوا ** با کمالی ده که دادی مر مرا
To whomsoever Thou wilt give (it), and (on whomsoever) Thou wilt confer that bounty, he (that person) is Solomon, and I also am he.
هر که را بدهی و بکنی آن کرم ** او سلیمان است و آن کس هم منم
He is not ‘after me,’ he is with me. What of ‘with me,’ indeed? I am without rival.”
او نباشد بعدی او باشد معی ** خود معی چه بود منم بی‌‌مدعی
’Tis my duty to explain this, but (now) I will return to the story of the man and wife.2615
شرح این فرض است گفتن لیک من ** باز می‌‌گردم به قصه‌‌ی مرد و زن
The moral of the altercation of the Arab and his wife.