When authority falls into the hands of one who has lost the (right) way, he deems it to be a high position (jáh), (but in reality) he has fallen into a pit (cháh).
حکم چون در دست گمراهی فتاد ** جاه پندارید در چاهی فتاد
He does not know the way, (yet) he acts as guide: his wicked spirit makes a world-conflagration.
راه نمی‌داند قلاووزی کند ** جان زشت او جهان‌سوزی کند
When (one who is as) a child in the Way of (spiritual) poverty assumes the part of an Elder (Director of souls), the ghoul of unblessedness seizes those who follow (him).
طفل راه فقر چون پیری گرفت ** پی‌روان را غول ادباری گرفت
“Come,” says he, “for I will show thee the moon”; (yet) that impure one never saw the moon.1450
که بیا تا ماه بنمایم ترا ** ماه را هرگز ندید آن بی‌صفا
How wilt thou show (the moon) when during (all) thy life thou hast not seen even the reflexion of the moon in the water, O half-baked dunce?
چون نمایی چون ندیدستی به عمر ** عکس مه در آب هم ای خام غمر
The foolish have become leaders, and from fear (of them) the wise have drawn their heads into the cloak.
احمقان سرور شدستند و ز بیم ** عاقلان سرها کشیده در گلیم
Commentary on "O thou that wrappest thyself."
تفسیر یا ایها المزمل
For this reason He (God) called the Prophet muzzammil (one who wraps himself), saying, “Come forth from the cloak, O thou who art fond of taking flight.
خواند مزمل نبی را زین سبب ** که برون آ از گلیم ای بوالهرب
Do not draw thy head into the cloak and do not cover thy face, for the world is a reeling body: thou art the intelligence (rational spirit).
سر مکش اندر گلیم و رو مپوش ** که جهان جسمیست سرگردان تو هوش
Hark, do not hide on account of the opprobrium of the adversary, since thou hast the resplendent candle of the Revelation.1455
هین مشو پنهان ز ننگ مدعی ** که تو داری شمع وحی شعشعی
Hark, stand up (in prayer) during the night, for thou art a candle, O prince: at night a candle stands up (and burns).
هین قم اللیل که شمعی ای همام ** شمع اندر شب بود اندر قیام