If they waylay any one in the world, both kinds of devils come off rejoicing;
گر کسی را ره زنند اندر جهان ** هر دو گون شیطان بر آید شادمان
And if any one has saved his soul and become eminent in religion, those two jealous (parties) keep up lamentation.
ور کسی جان برد و شد در دین بلند ** نوحه می‌دارند آن دو رشک‌مند
Both gnash their teeth in envy at any one upon whom the (spiritual) Teacher has bestowed wisdom.”1225
هر دو می‌خایند دندان حسد ** بر کسی که داد ادیب او را خرد
How the king asked the man who claimed to be a prophet, saying, “The person who is a true Messenger (of God) and becomes established (as such)—what has he to give to any one, or what gifts will people obtain by consorting with him and serving him, except the counsel which he utters with his tongue?”
پرسیدن آن پادشاه از آن مدعی نبوت کی آنک رسول راستین باشد و ثابت شود با او چه باشد کی کسی را بخشد یا به صحبت و خدمت او چه بخشش یابند غیر نصیحت به زبان کی می‌گوید
The king questioned him, saying, “After all, what is inspiration, or what has he got who is a prophet?”
شاه پرسیدش که باری وحی چیست ** یا چه حاصل دارد آن کس کو نبیست
He replied, “What is there indeed that he has not got, or what fortune is left whereunto he has not attained?
گفت خود آن چیست کش حاصل نشد ** یا چه دولت ماند کو واصل نشد
I will suppose (for argument's sake) that this prophetic inspiration is not a treasurer (of Divine Revelations); still, it is not inferior to the inspiration in the heart of the bee.
گیرم این وحی نبی گنجور نیست ** هم کم از وحی دل زنبور نیست
Since (the words) God hath inspired the bee have come (in the Qur’án), the dwelling-place of its (the bee's) inspiration has been filled with sweets.
چونک او حی الرب الی النحل آمدست ** خانه‌ی وحیش پر از حلوا شدست
Through the light of the inspiration of God the Almighty and Glorious, it filled the world with wax and honey.1230
او به نور وحی حق عزوجل ** کرد عالم را پر از شمع و عسل
This one who is (the object of) We have honored the sons of Adam (and) is ever going upward––how should his inspiration be inferior to (that of) the bee?"
این که کرمناست و بالا می‌رود ** وحیش از زنبور کمتر کی بود
Have not you read (the words) We have given thee Kawthar? Why, then, are you dry and why have you remained thirsty?
نه تو اعطیناک کوثر خوانده‌ای ** پس چرا خشکی و تشنه مانده‌ای