(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
From this enthusiasm (they continued) beating their feet (dancing) to this ditty till dawn, clapping their hands (and singing), "The ass is gone, the ass is gone!"
زین حراره پای کوبان تا سحر ** کفزنان خر رفت و خر رفت ای پسر
By way of imitation that Súfí began (to sing) in (tones of) impassioned feeling this same (phrase), “The ass is gone.”
از ره تقلید آن صوفی همین ** خر برفت آغاز کرد اندر حنین
When the pleasure and excitement and music and dancing were over, day dawned and they all said, “Farewell!”
چون گذشت آن نوش و جوش و آن سماع ** روز گشت و جمله گفتند الوداع
The monastery was deserted, and the Súfí remained (alone): that traveller set about shaking the dust from his baggage.540
خانقه خالی شد و صوفی بماند ** گرد از رخت آن مسافر میفشاند
He brought out the baggage from his cell, in order that he might tie it on the ass, (for he was) desirous of (finding) people to travel with.
رخت از حجره برون آورد او ** تا به خر بر بندد آن همراه جو