After that, he took up the firewood and went from me in hot haste towards the town.
بعد از آن برداشت هیزم را و رفت ** سوی شهر از پیش من او تیز و تفت
I wished to follow that (spiritual) king and ask him about (some) difficulties and hear (his answer);710
خواستم تا در پی آن شه روم ** پرسم از وی مشکلات و بشنوم
(But) the awe (which he inspired) made me (as though I were) bound: the vulgar have no way (admission) to the presence of the elect.”
بسته کرد آن هیبت او مر مرا ** پیش خاصان ره نباشد عامه را
And if the way become (open) to any one, let him offer his head (in utter devotion), for that (admission to their presence) comes from their mercy and their drawing (him towards them).
ور کسی را ره شود گو سر فشان ** کان بود از رحمت و از جذبشان
Therefore, when you gain companionship with the siddíq (true saint), deem that Divine favour (conferred on you) to be a precious opportunity.
پس غنیمت دار آن توفیق را ** چون بیابی صحبت صدیق را
(Do) not (be) like the fool who wins the favour of the King, and then lightly and easily falls away from the path (of favour).
نه چو آن ابله که یابد قرب شاه ** سهل و آسان در فتد آن دم ز راه
When more of (the King's) favour is bestowed on him, then he says, “Surely this is the thigh of an ox.”715
چون ز قربانی دهندش بیشتر ** پس بگوید ران گاوست این مگر
This does not consist of the thigh of an ox, O deviser of falsehood: to you it appears to be the thigh of an ox because you are an ass.
نیست این از ران گاو ای مفتری ** ران گاوت می‌نماید از خری
This is a royal gift devoid of any corruption: this is pure munificence (springing) from a (great) mercy,
بذل شاهانه‌ست این بی رشوتی ** بخشش محضست این از رحمتی
[How Solomon, on whom be peace, urged the envoys to hasten the emigration of Bilqís (from her kingdom) for the Faith’s sake.]
تحریض سلیمان علیه‌السلام مر رسولان را بر تعجیل به هجرت بلقیس بهر ایمان
Even as in (the spiritual) warfare King Solomon drew the cavalry and foot-soldiers of Bilqís (towards him),
هم‌چنان که شه سلیمان در نبرد ** جذب خیل و لشکر بلقیس کرد