The blind of heart, notwithstanding (his possession of) life and hearing and sight, is never knowing the devilish thief by the traces (which he leaves).
کوردل با جان و با سمع و بصر ** مینداند دزد شیطان را ز اثر
Seek (that knowledge) from the man of heart; do not seek it from the inanimate, for (all other) people are inanimate beside (in comparison with) him.
ز اهل دل جو از جماد آن را مجو ** که جماد آمد خلایق پیش او
The seeker of counsel approached him (the saint who was feigning madness), saying, “O father who hast become (as) a child, tell (me) a secret.”
مشورت جوینده آمد نزد او ** کای اب کودک شده رازی بگو
He answered, “Begone from this door-ring, for this door is not open. Turn back: to-day is not the day for secrets.2385
گفت رو زین حلقه کاین در باز نیست ** باز گرد امروز روز راز نیست
If the spatial had (any) access to the non-spatial, I should be (seated) on the bench, (giving instruction) like the Shaykhs (spiritual directors).”
گر مکان را ره بدی در لامکان ** همچو شیخان بودمی من بر دکان
How the Police Inspector summoned the man who had fallen dead-drunk (on the ground) to (go to) prison.
خواندن محتسب مست خراب افتاده را به زندان
The Inspector came at midnight to a certain place: he saw a drunken man lying at the bottom of a wall.
محتسب در نیم شب جایی رسید ** در بن دیوار مستی خفته دید
He cried, “Hey, you are drunk: tell (me), what have you been drinking?” Said the man, “I have drunk of this which is in the jar.”
گفت هی مستی چه خورده ستی بگو ** گفت از این خوردم که هست اندر سبو
“Pray,” said he, “explain what is in the jar.” He replied, “Some of what I have drunk.” “(But),” said the Inspector, “this is hidden (from sight).”
گفت آخر در سبو واگو که چیست ** گفت از آن که خوردهام گفت این خفی است
He asked (again), “What is it that you have drunk?” He rejoined, “That which is hidden in the jar.”2390
گفت آن چه خوردهای آن چیست آن ** گفت آن که در سبو مخفی است آن
These questions and answers were becoming a (vicious) circle. The Inspector was left (stuck) in the mud, like an ass.
دور میشد این سؤال و این جواب ** ماند چون خر محتسب اندر خلاب