For awhile things are reversed: the thief brings the magistrate to the gallows,
مدتی معکوس باشد کارها ** شحنه را دزد آورد بر دارها
So that many a sultan and man of lofty spirit becomes the slave of his own slave for awhile.
تا که بس سلطان و عالی همتی ** بنده‌‌ی بنده‌‌ی خود آید مدتی
Service (performed) in absence (through faith in the unseen) is fair and comely; when service is demanded (by God from us), ‘tis pleasing (to Him) that the absent should be remembered (that we should remember to perform what is due to Him, though He is unseen).
بندگی در غیب آید خوب و گش ** حفظ غیب آید در استعباد خوش
Where (in what position) is one that praises the king in his presence, compared with one that is shamefaced in absence (from him)?
کو که مدح شاه گوید پیش او ** تا که در غیبت بود او شرم رو
The governor of a fortress who, on the border of the kingdom, far from the sultan and the shadow (protection) of the sultanate,3635
قلعه داری کز کنار مملکت ** دور از سلطان و سایه‌‌ی سلطنت
Guards the fortress from enemies and will not sell it for boundless riches,
پاس دارد قلعه را از دشمنان ** قلعه نفروشد به مال بی‌‌کران
Who, though absent from the king on the outskirt of the frontiers, keeps faith (with him) like one who is present—
غایب از شه در کنار ثغرها ** همچو حاضر او نگه دارد وفا
He in the king's sight is better than the rest who are serving in his presence and ready to devote their lives.
پیش شه او به بود از دیگران ** که به خدمت حاضرند و جان فشان
Therefore half an atom of regard to one's duty in absence is better than a hundred thousand fold observance thereof in presence.
پس به غیبت نیم ذره‌‌ی حفظ کار ** به که اندر حاضری ز آن صد هزار
Obedience (to God) and faith are praiseworthy now; after death, when all is plainly shown, they will be spurned.3640
طاعت و ایمان کنون محمود شد ** بعد مرگ اندر عیان مردود شد