He beheld himself green and red and roan and yellow, (so) he presented himself (gleefully) to the jackals.
دید خود را سبز و سرخ و فور و زرد ** خویشتن را بر شغالان عرضه کرد
They all said, “O little jackal, what is the matter, that thou hast in thy head manifold exultation?725
جمله گفتند ای شغالک حال چیست ** که ترا در سر نشاطی ملتویست
Because of exultation thou hast turned aside from us (with disdain): whence hast thou brought this arrogance?”
از نشاط از ما کرانه کردهای ** این تکبر از کجا آوردهای
One of the jackals went to him and said, “O so-and-so, hast thou acted deceitfully or hast thou (really) become one of those whose hearts rejoice (in God)?
یک شغالی پیش او شد کای فلان ** شید کردی یا شدی از خوشدلان
Thou hast acted deceitfully to the end that thou mayest jump on to the pulpit and by thy palaver give this folk (the feeling of) regret.
شید کردی تا به منبر بر جهی ** تا ز لاف این خلق را حسرت دهی
Thou hast striven much, (but) thou hast not felt any (spiritual) ardour; hence from deceit thou hast exhibited a piece of impudence.”
بس بکوشیدی ندیدی گرمیی ** پس ز شید آوردهای بیشرمیی
(Spiritual) ardour belongs to the saints and prophets; on the other hand, impudence is the refuge of every impostor;730
گرمی آن اولیا و انبیاست ** باز بیشرمی پناه هر دغاست
For they draw the people's attention to themselves, saying, “We are happy (with God),” though within (at heart) they are exceedingly unhappy.
که التفات خلق سوی خود کشند ** که خوشیم و از درون بس ناخوشند
How a braggart greased his lips and moustache every morning with the skin of a fat sheep's tail and came amongst his companions, saying, “I have eaten such and such (viands).”
چرب کردن مرد لافی لب و سبلت خود را هر بامداد به پوست دنبه و بیرون آمدن میان حریفان کی من چنین خوردهام و چنان
A person, who (on account of his poverty) was lightly esteemed, used to grease his moustaches every morning
پوست دنبه یافت شخصی مستهان ** هر صباحی چرب کردی سبلتان
And go amongst the munificent (the rich), saying, “I have eaten some wellgreased food at the party.”
در میان منعمان رفتی که من ** لوت چربی خوردهام در انجمن