The Súfís, one by one, caressed him: they were playing the game of (bestowing) pleasant attentions (on him).
صوفیانش یک به یک بنواختند ** نرد خدمتهای خوش میباختند
When he saw their affection towards him, he said, “If I don't make merry to-night, when (shall I do so)?”
گفت چون میدید میلانشان به وی ** گر طرب امشب نخواهم کرد کی
They ate the viands and began the samá‘ (musical dance); the monastery was filled with smoke and dust up to the roof—
لوت خوردند و سماع آغاز کرد ** خانقه تا سقف شد پر دود و گرد
The smoke of the kitchen, the dust of (raised by) beating the feet (dancing), the tumult (caused) by longing and ecstasy of spirit.530
دود مطبخ گرد آن پا کوفتن ** ز اشتیاق و وجد جان آشوفتن
Now, waving their hands, they would beat (the ground with) their feet; now, in (religious) prostration, they would sweep the dais (with their foreheads).
گاه دست افشان قدم میکوفتند ** گه به سجده صفه را میروفتند
(Only) after long (waiting) does the Súfí gain his desire (the satisfaction of his appetite) from Fortune: for that reason the Súfí is a great eater;
دیر یابد صوفی آز از روزگار ** ز آن سبب صوفی بود بسیار خوار
Except, to be sure, the Súfí who has eaten his fill of the Light of God: he is free from the shame of beggary;
جز مگر آن صوفیی کز نور حق ** سیر خورد او فارغ است از ننگ دق
(But) of these Súfís there are (only) a few among thousands; the rest are living in (under the protection of) his (the perfect Súfí's spiritual) empire.
از هزاران اندکی زین صوفیند ** باقیان در دولت او میزیند
When the samá‘ had come (run its course) from beginning to end, the minstrel struck up a heavy (deep-sounding) strain.535
چون سماع آمد از اول تا کران ** مطرب آغازید یک ضرب گران
He commenced (to sing), "The ass is gone, and the ass is gone": he made the whole (company) sharers in this ditty.
خر برفت و خر برفت آغاز کرد ** زین حراره جمله را انباز کرد