If any one, by rare exception, traversed this Way alone (without a Pír), he arrived (at his goal) through the help of the spiritual influence of the Pírs.
هر که تنها نادرا این ره برید ** هم به عون همت پیران رسید
The hand of the Pír is not withdrawn from the absent (those who are not under his authority): his hand is naught but the grasp of God.2975
دست پیر از غایبان کوتاه نیست ** دست او جز قبضهی الله نیست
Inasmuch as they give such a robe of honour to the absent, (what must they give their disciples?): undoubtedly the present are better than the absent.
غایبان را چون چنین خلعت دهند ** حاضران از غایبان لا شک بهند
Since they are bestowing (spiritual) food on the absent, see what bounties they must lay before the guest.
غایبان را چون نواله میدهند ** پیش مهمان تا چه نعمتها نهند
Where is one that girds himself (for service) before the king to (i.e. how far superior is he to) one that is outside the door?
کو کسی که پیش شه بندد کمر ** تا کسی که هست بیرون سوی در
When thou hast chosen thy Pír, be not faint-hearted, be not weak as water and crumbly as earth.
چون گزیدی پیر نازک دل مباش ** سست و ریزیده چو آب و گل مباش
If thou art enraged by every blow, then how wilt thou become a (clear) mirror without being polished?2980
گر بهر زخمی تو پر کینه شوی ** پس کجا بیصیقل آیینه شوی
How the man of Qazwín was tattooing the figure of a lion in blue on his shoulders, and (then) repenting because of the (pain of the) needle-pricks.
کبودی زدن قزوینی بر شانگاه صورت شیر و پشیمان شدن او به سبب زخم سوزن
Hear from the narrator this story about the way and custom of the people of Qazwín.
این حکایت بشنو از صاحب بیان ** در طریق و عادت قزوینیان
They tattoo themselves in blue with the point of a needle on body and hand and shoulders, so as to suffer no injury.
بر تن و دست و کتفها بیگزند ** از سر سوزن کبودیها زنند
A certain man of Qazwín went to a barber and said, “Tattoo me (and) do it charmingly (artistically).”
سوی دلاکی بشد قزوینیی ** که کبودم زن بکن شیرینیی