Amidst the desert lived an ascetic, absorbed in devotion like the people of ‘Abbádán.
زاهدی بد در میان بادیه ** در عبادت غرق چون عبادیه
The pilgrims from (different) countries arrived there: their eyes fell upon the parched ascetic.
حاجیان آن جا رسیدند از بلاد ** دیدهشان بر زاهد خشک اوفتاد
The dwelling-place of the ascetic was dry, (but) he was moist in temperament: in the simoom of the desert he had a remedy (for his moistness).3790
جای زاهد خشک بود او تر مزاج ** از سموم بادیه بودش علاج
The pilgrims were amazed at his solitude and his welfare in the midst of bane.
حاجیان حیران شدند از وحدتش ** و آن سلامت در میان آفتش
He stood on the sand, (engaged) in the ritual prayer—sand from the heat whereof the water in a pot would boil.
در نماز استاده بد بر روی ریگ ** ریگ کز تفش بجوشد آب دیگ
You would have said he was (standing) enraptured amongst herbs and flowers, or mounted on Buráq or Duldul;
گفتیی سر مست در سبزه و گل است ** یا سواره بر براق و دلدل است
Or that his feet were on silk and broidered cloths; or that to him the simoom was more pleasant than the zephyr.
یا که پایش بر حریر و حلههاست ** یا سموم او را به از باد صباست
Then that company remained in need (unsatisfied) till the dervish should finish the (ritual) prayer.3795
پس بماندند آن جماعت با نیاز ** تا شود درویش فارغ از نماز
When the dervish came back (to himself) from (his state of) absorption (in God), one of that company, a man (spiritually) alive and of enlightened mind,
چون ز استغراق باز آمد فقیر ** ز آن جماعت زندهای روشن ضمیر
Observed that water was trickling from his hands and face, (and that) his garment was wet with the traces of ablution;
دید کابش میچکید از دست و رو ** جامهاش تر بود از آثار وضو