(And) he says, “I wonder what this contraction is”: (say), “The contraction (distress) of the injured person who wept at thy wickedness.”
او همی‌گوید عجب این قبض چیست ** قبض آن مظلوم کز شرت گریست
When he pays no regard to this contraction, the wind of perseverance (in evil) blows (fans) its (the evil's) fire.
چون بدین قبض التفاتی کم کند ** باد اصرار آتشش را دم کند
The contraction that grips the heart turns into the grip of the policeman: inevitably those ideas become sensible (materialised) and display themselves.
قبض دل قبض عوان شد لاجرم ** گشت محسوس آن معانی زد علم
The pangs have become prison and the cross (crucifixion): the pang is (as) the root, and the root produces boughs.
غصه‌ها زندان شدست و چارمیخ ** غصه بیخست و بروید شاخ بیخ
The root was hidden, it is (now) revealed. Consider (your) inward contraction and expansion as a root.360
بیخ پنهان بود هم شد آشکار ** قبض و بسط اندرون بیخی شمار
When it is a bad root, smite it quickly, so that an ugly thorn may not grow in the garden.
چونک بیخ بد بود زودش بزن ** تا نروید زشت‌خاری در چمن
You have felt the contraction: seek a remedy for it, because all heads (excrescences) grow from the bottom (root).
قبض دیدی چاره‌ی آن قبض کن ** زانک سرها جمله می‌روید ز بن
You have felt the expansion: water your expansion, and when the fruit appears, give it to your friends.
بسط دیدی بسط خود را آب ده ** چون بر آید میوه با اصحاب ده
The remainder of the Story of the people of Saba.
باقی قصه‌ی اهل سبا
Saba were folk given over to dalliance and foolish; ‘twas their practice to show ingratitude to the generous.
آن سبا ز اهل صبا بودند و خام ** کارشان کفران نعمت با کرام
By was of illustration, it would be ingratitude to dispute with your benefactor,365
باشد آن کفران نعمت در مثال ** که کنی با محسن خود تو جدال