(But) we (prophets) set out in wakefulness and well (aware) from beyond the five (senses) and the six (directions) to (this world of) the five and six,
ما به بیداری روان گشتیم و خوش ** از ورای پنج و شش تا پنج و شش
Having perceived (all) the stages from the source and foundation, possessed of experience and knowing the way like (skilled) guides.”
دیده منزلها ز اصل و از اساس ** چون قلاووز آن خبیر و ره‌شناس
They said to the king, “Put him to the rack, that a person of his sort may never (again) speak such words.”
شاه را گفتند اشکنجه‌ش بکن ** تا نگوید جنس او هیچ این سخن
The king saw that he was very thin and infirm, so that such an emaciated man would die at a single blow.
شاه دیدش بس نزار و بس ضعیف ** که به یک سیلی بمیرد آن نحیف
(He thought to himself), “How is it possible to torture or beat him, since his body has become as (fragile as) a glass?1130
کی توان او را فشردن یا زدن ** که چو شیشه گشته است او را بدن
But I will speak to him kindly and say, ‘Why dost thou boast of (this) high estate?’
لیک با او گویم از راه خوشی ** که چرا داری تو لاف سر کشی
For here harshness is of no use: ’tis by gentleness that the snake puts forth its head (is induced to come forth) from the hole.”
که درشتی ناید اینجا هیچ کار ** هم به نرمی سر کند از غار مار
He caused the people to withdraw from around him (the claimant): the king was a gracious man, and gentleness was his way.
مردمان را دور کرد از گرد وی ** شه لطیفی بود و نرمی ورد وی
Then he bade him be seated, and asked him concerning his dwelling-place, saying, “Where hast thou thy means of livelihood and refuge?”
پس نشاندش باز پرسیدش ز جا ** که کجا داری معاش و ملتجی
He replied, “O king, I belong to the Abode of Peace: I have come from the road (after having journeyed) to this Abode of Blame.1135
گفت ای شه هستم از دار السلام ** آمده از ره درین دار الملام