They are kind and bribeless ones, helpers in the hard plight and the heavy (grievous) day.
مهربان بیرشوتان یاریگران ** در مقام سخت و در روز گران
Hark, seek this (saintly) company, O afflicted one! Hark, hold them (as) a prize before the (coming of) affliction.
هین بجو این قوم را ای مبتلا ** هین غنیمت دارشان پیش از بلا
Through the breath (prayer) of that (spiritual) hero the ship was saved, while the people in the ship thought (they were saved) by their own efforts,2225
رست کشتی از دم آن پهلوان ** واهل کشتی را بجهد خود گمان
(Supposing) that maybe in (the hour of) dread their arm had skilfully shot an arrow at the target.
که مگر بازوی ایشان در حذر ** بر هدف انداخت تیری از هنر
Foxes, in the chase, are saved by their legs, but the foxes inconsiderately deem that (safety to proceed) from their tails.
پا رهاند روبهان را در شکار ** و آن زدم دانند روباهان غرار
(Hence) they play fondly with their tails, thinking, “These save our lives in the ambuscade (of calamity).”
عشقها با دم خود بازند کین ** میرهاند جان ما را در کمین
O fox, preserve your legs from (being broken by) brickbats; when you have no legs, what use is your tail, O bold-eyed one?
روبها پا را نگه دار از کلوخ ** پا چو نبود دم چه سود ای چشمشوخ
We are like foxes, and the noble (saints) are (as) our legs: they save us from a hundred kinds of vengeance.2230
ما چو روباهان و پای ما کرام ** میرهاندمان ز صدگون انتقام
Our subtle contrivance is as our tails: we play fondly with our tails, left and right.
حیلهی باریک ما چون دم ماست ** عشقها بازیم با دم چپ و راست
We wag our tails in argumentation and cunning, in order that Zayd and Bakr may remain amazed at us.
دم بجنبانیم ز استدلال و مکر ** تا که حیران ماند از ما زید و بکر