Recite (the text), the wicked women for the wicked men: recognise (both) the front and the back of this saying.280
الخبیثات الخبیثین را بخوان ** رو و پشت این سخن را باز دان
The sincere mentors prepare medicine for him (the wicked man) with ambergris or rose-water to open the door (of Divine Mercy);
ناصحان او را به عنبر یا گلاب ** می دوا سازند بهر فتح باب
(But) sweet words will not do for the wicked: ’tis not fitting and suitable, O ye trusty ones!
مر خبیثان را نسازد طیبات ** درخور و لایق نباشد ای ثقات
When from the perfume of the Revelation they (the wicked infidels) became crooked (disordered in mind) and lost (in error), their lament was, “We augur evil from you.
چون زعطر وحی کژ گشتند و گم ** بد فغانشان که تطیرنا بکم
This discourse (of yours) is illness and sickness to us: your exhortation is not of good omen to us.
رنج و بیماریست ما را این مقال ** نیست نیکو وعظتان ما را به فال
If ye once begin to admonish (us) overtly, at that instant we will stone you.285
گر بیاغازید نصحی آشکار ** ما کنیم آن دم شما را سنگسار
We have waxed fat on frivolity and diversion: we have not steeped ourselves in admonition.
ما بلغو و لهو فربه گشته‌ایم ** در نصیحت خویش را نسرشته‌ایم
Our food is falsehood and idle boasts and jests: our stomachs are turned by your delivering this message.
هست قوت ما دروغ و لاف و لاغ ** شورش معده‌ست ما را زین بلاغ
Ye are making the illness hundredfold and more: ye are drugging the intelligence with opium.”
رنج را صدتو و افزون می‌کنید ** عقل را دارو به افیون می‌کنید
How the tanner’s brother sought to cure him secretly with the smell of dung.
معالجه کردن برادر دباغ دباغ را به خفیه به بوی سرگین
The youth kept driving the people away from him (the tanner), in order that those persons might not see his treatment (of the sick man).
خلق را می‌راند از وی آن جوان ** تا علاجش را نبینند آن کسان