Behold their bones and their hair! Take warning, and drive not your ass towards them!2950
استخوانهاشان ببین و مویشان ** عبرتی گیر و مران خر سویشان
Seize the neck of your ass (the flesh) and lead him towards the Way, towards the good keepers and knowers of the Way.
گردن خر گیر و سوی راه کش ** سوی رهبانان و ره دانان خوش
Beware! do not let your ass go, and do not remove your hand from him, because his love is for the place where green herbs are plentiful.
هین مهل خر را و دست از وی مدار ** ز آن که عشق اوست سوی سبزهزار
If you carelessly leave him free for one moment, he will go (many) leagues in the direction of the herbage.
گر یکی دم تو به غفلت واهلیش ** او رود فرسنگها سوی حشیش
The ass is an enemy to the Way, (he is) madly in love with fodder: oh, many is the attendant on him that he has brought to ruin!
دشمن راه است خر مست علف ** ای که بس خر بنده را کرد او تلف
If you know not the Way, whatsoever the ass desires, do the contrary thereof: that, surely, will be the right Way.2955
گر ندانی ره هر آن چه خر بخواست ** عکس آن کن خود بود آن راه راست
(The Prophet said), “Consult them (women), and then oppose (them in what they advise): he that disobeys them not will be ruined.”
شاوروهن پس آن گه خالفوا ** إن من لم یعصهن تالف
Be not a friend to (sensual) passion and desire, since it leads you astray from the Way of God.
با هوا و آرزو کم باش دوست ** چون یضلک عن سبیل الله اوست
Nothing in the world will break (mortify) this passion like the shadow (protection) of fellow-travellers.
این هوا را نشکند اندر جهان ** هیچ چیزی همچو سایهی همرهان
How the Prophet, on whom be peace, enjoined ‘Alí—may God make his person honoured—saying, “When every one seeks to draw nigh to God by means of some kind of devotional act, do thou seek the favour of God by associating with His wise and chosen servant, that thou mayst be the first of all to arrive (to gain access to Him).”
وصیت کردن رسول صلی الله علیه و اله و سلم علی را علیه السلام که چون هر کسی به نوع طاعتی تقرب جوید به حق تو تقرب جوی به نصیحت عاقل و بندهی خاص تا از همه پیش قدم تر باشی
The Prophet said to ‘Alí, “O ‘Alí, thou art the Lion of God, thou art a courageous knight,
گفت پیغمبر علی را کای علی ** شیر حقی پهلوانی پر دلی