Iblís was the leader on this way, for he fell a prey to the net (temptation) of power (eminence).1950
پیش‌وا ابلیس بود این راه را ** کو شکار آمد شبیکه‌ی جاه را
Riches are like a snake, and power is a dragon: the shadow (protection and guidance) of (holy) men is the emerald (which is fatal) to them both.
مال چون مارست و آن جاه اژدها ** سایه‌ی مردان زمرد این دو را
At (the sight of) that emerald the snake's eye jumps (out of its head): the snake is blinded and the traveller is delivered (from death).
زان زمرد مار را دیده جهد ** کور گردد مار و ره‌رو وا رهد
When that Prince (Iblís) had laid thorns on this road, every one that was wounded (by them) cried, “Curse Iblís!”
چون برین ره خار بنهاد آن رئیس ** هر که خست او گفته لعنت بر بلیس
Meaning to say, “This pain is (fallen) upon me through his treachery”: he (Iblís) who is taken as a model (by the wicked) was the first to tread the path of treason.
یعنی این غم بر من از غدر ویست ** غدر را آن مقتدا سابق‌پیست
Truly, generation on generation came (into being) after him, and all set their feet on his way (followed his practice).1955
بعد ازو خود قرن بر قرن آمدند ** جملگان بر سنت او پا زدند
Whosoever institutes an evil practice, O youth, in order that people may blindly fall in after him,
هر که بنهد سنت بد ای فتا ** تا در افتد بعد او خلق از عمی
All their guilt is collected (and piled) on him, for he has been (as) a head (to them), while they are (like) the root of the tail.
جمع گردد بر وی آن جمله بزه ** کو سری بودست و ایشان دم‌غزه
But Adam brought forward (and kept in view) the rustic shoon and sheepskin jacket, saying, “I am of clay.”
لیک آدم چارق و آن پوستین ** پیش می‌آورد که هستم ز طین
By him, as by Ayáz, those shoon were (often) visited: consequently he was lauded in the end.
چون ایاز آن چارقش مورود بود ** لاجرم او عاقبت محمود بود