The man dazed by greed may hear a hundred stories, (but) not a single point comes into the ear of greed.
صد حکایت بشنود مدهوش حرص ** در نیاید نکتهای در گوش حرص
How the criers of the Cadi advertised an insolvent round the town.
تعریف کردن منادیان قاضی مفلسی را گرد شهر
There was an insolvent person without house or home, who remained in prison and pitiless bondage.585
بود شخصی مفلسی بیخان و مان ** مانده در زندان وبند بیامان
He would unconscionably eat the rations of the prisoners; on account of (his) appetite he was (a burden) like Mount Qáf on the hearts of the people (in the gaol).
لقمهی زندانیان خوردی گزاف ** بر دل خلق از طمع چون کوه قاف
No one had the pluck to eat a mouthful of bread, because that snatcher of portions would carry off his entire meal.
زهره نه کس را که لقمهی نان خورد ** ز انکه آن لقمهربا کاوش برد
Any one who is far from the feast of the Merciful (God) has the eye of a (low) beggar, though he be a sultan.
هر که دور از دعوت رحمان بود ** او گدا چشم است اگر سلطان بود
He (the insolvent) had trodden virtue underfoot; the prison had become a hell on account of that robber of bread.
مر مروت را نهاده زیر پا ** گشته زندان دوزخی ز آن نان ربا
If you flee in hope of some relief, on that side also a calamity comes to meet you.590
گر گریزی بر امید راحتی ** ز آن طرف هم پیشت آید آفتی
No corner is without wild beasts; there is no rest but in the place where you are alone with God.
هیچ کنجی بیدد و بیدام نیست ** جز به خلوتگاه حق آرام نیست
The corner (narrow cell) of this world's inevitable prison is not exempt from the charges for visitors and (the cost of) housewarming.
کنج زندان جهان ناگزیر ** نیست بیپا مزد و بیدق الحصیر
By God, if you go into a mouse-hole, you will be afflicted by some one who has the claws of a cat.
و الله ار سوراخ موشی در روی ** مبتلای گربه چنگالی شوی