Whoever hath no scent is without a nose; the scent (referred to) is that scent which is religious.
هر که بویش نیست بی‌‌بینی بود ** بوی آن بوی است کان دینی بود
When he has caught a scent and given no thanks for it, (that) ingratitude comes and devours his nose (deprives him of the organ of spiritual perception).
چون که بویی برد و شکر آن نکرد ** کفر نعمت آمد و بینیش خورد
Give thanks (to God) and be a slave to those who give thanks: be in their presence (as one) dead, be steadfast.
شکر کن مر شاکران را بنده باش ** پیش ایشان مرده شو پاینده باش
Do not, like the vizier, make brigandage your stock-in-trade; do not turn the people away from the ritual prayer.
چون وزیر از ره زنی مایه مساز ** خلق را تو بر میاور از نماز
The miscreant vizier had become (in appearance) a true religious counsellor, (but) he had craftily put garlic in the walnut cake.445
ناصح دین گشته آن کافر وزیر ** کرده او از مکر در لوزینه سیر
How the sagacious among the Christians perceived the guile of the vizier.
فهم کردن حاذقان نصارا مکر وزیر را
Whoever was possessed of (spiritual) discernment was feeling a sweet savour in his words and, joined therewith, bitterness.
هر که صاحب ذوق بود از گفت او ** لذتی می‌‌دید و تلخی جفت او
He (the vizier) was saying fine things mixed (with foul): he had poured some poison into the sugared julep.
نکته‌‌ها می‌‌گفت او آمیخته ** در جلاب قند زهری ریخته
The outward sense of it was saying, “Be diligent in the Way,” but in effect it was saying to the soul, “Be slack.”
ظاهرش می‌‌گفت در ره چیست شو ** وز اثر می‌‌گفت جان را سست شو
If the surface of silver is white and new, (yet) the hands and dress are blackened by it.
ظاهر نقره گر اسپید است و نو ** دست و جامه می سیه گردد ازو
Although fire is red-faced (bright and glorious) with sparks, look at the black behaviour (displayed) in its action.450
آتش ار چه سرخ روی است از شرر ** تو ز فعل او سیه کاری نگر