And if he be not a Qutb, he may be a friend of the (Súfí) Way; if he be not the king, he may be the cavalier of the host.2145
ور نباشد قطب یار ره بود ** شه نباشد فارس اسپه بود
Deem it, then, incumbent (on you) to attach yourselves to the friends of the Way, whosoever it may be, and whether (he be) footman or rider.
پس صله یاران ره لازم شمار ** هر که باشد گر پیاده گر سوار
And if he be a foe (to you), still this kindness is good, for by kindness many a foe hath been made a friend;
ور عدو باشد همین احسان نکوست ** که به احسان بس عدو گشته است دوست
And though he do not become a friend, his enmity is lessened, because kindness becomes the balm for enmity.
ور نگردد دوست کینش کم شود ** ز آن که احسان کینه را مرهم شود
There are many profits besides these, but I am afraid of being tedious, good friend.
بس فواید هست غیر این و لیک ** از درازی خایفم ای یار نیک
The gist (of the matter) is this: be the friend of the whole community (of Súfís): like the idol-maker, carve a friend out of the stone,2150
حاصل این آمد که یار جمع باش ** هم چو بتگر از حجر یاری تراش
Because the throng and multitude of a caravan will break the backs and spears of the highwaymen.
ز آن که انبوهی و جمع کاروان ** ره زنان را بشکند پشت و سنان
Inasmuch as you have not the heart's two eyes, O contumacious man, so that you cannot distinguish firewood from aloes-wood,
چون دو چشم دل نداری ای عنود ** که نمیدانی تو هیزم را ز عود
(You may despair of finding the true friend of God; but) since there exists a treasure in the world, do not grieve: deem no ruined place empty of treasure.
چون که گنجی هست در عالم مرنج ** هیچ ویران را مدان خالی ز گنج
Betake yourself to every dervish at random, and when you find the mark (of the true saint), frequent (him) assiduously.
قصد هر درویش میکن از گزاف ** چون نشان یابی بجد میکن طواف