(But) except the portion which came to pass (was predestined) in eternity, nothing showed its face (accrued to them) from their hunting and doing.
جز که آن قسمت که رفت اندر ازل ** روی ننمود از شکار و از عمل
They all fell from (failed in) plan and act: the acts and decrees of the Maker remained.
جمله افتادند از تدبیر و کار ** ماند کار و حکم‌‌های کردگار
O illustrious one, do not regard work as aught but a name! O cunning one, think not that exertion is aught but a vain fancy!”955
کسب جز نامی مدان ای نامدار ** جهد جز وهمی مپندار ای عیار
How ‘Azrá‘íl (Azrael) looked at a certain man, and how that man fled to the palace of Solomon; and setting forth the superiority of trust in God to exertion and the uselessness of the latter.
نگریستن عزراییل بر مردی و گریختن آن مرد در سرای سلیمان و تقریر ترجیح توکل بر جهد و قلت فایده‌‌ی جهد
One forenoon a freeborn (noble) man arrived and ran into Solomon's hall of justice,
زاد مردی چاشتگاهی در رسید ** در سرا عدل سلیمان در دوید
His countenance pale with anguish and both lips blue. Then Solomon said, “Good sir, what is the matter?”
رویش از غم زرد و هر دو لب کبود ** پس سلیمان گفت ای خواجه چه بود
He replied, “Azrael cast on me such a look, so full of wrath and hate.”
گفت عزراییل در من این چنین ** یک نظر انداخت پر از خشم و کین
“Come,” said the king, “what (boon) do you desire now? Ask (it)!” “O protector of my life,” said he, “command the wind,
گفت هین اکنون چه می‌‌خواهی بخواه ** گفت فرما باد را ای جان پناه
To bear me from here to India. Maybe, when thy slave is come thither he will save his life.”960
تا مرا ز ینجا به هندستان برد ** بو که بنده کان طرف شد جان برد
Lo, the people are fleeing from poverty: hence are they a mouthful for (a prey to) covetousness and expectation.
نک ز درویشی گریزانند خلق ** لقمه‌‌ی حرص و امل ز آنند خلق
The fear of poverty is like that (man's) terror: know thou that covetousness and striving are (like) India (in this tale).
ترس درویشی مثال آن هراس ** حرص و کوشش را تو هندستان شناس