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
Man has fatness from (thrives on) fancy, if his fancies are beautiful;
آدمی را فربهی هست از خیال ** گر خیالاتش بود صاحب جمال