May the false dawn not be the people's guide! for it gives many caravans to the wind (of destruction).
صبح کاذب خلق را رهبر مباد ** کو دهد بس کاروانها را به باد
O thou who hast become captive to the false dawn, do not regard the true dawn also as false.
ای شده تو صبح کاذب را رهین ** صبح صادق را تو کاذب هم مبین
If thou (thyself) hast no protection (art not exempt) from hypocrisy and wickedness, wherefore shouldst thou impute the same (vices) to thy brother?1980
گر نداری از نفاق و بد امان ** از چه داری بر برادر ظن همان
The evil-doer is always thinking ill (of others): he reads his own book as referring to his neighbour.
بدگمان باشد همیشه زشت‌کار ** نامه‌ی خود خواند اندر حق یار
The wretches who have remained (sunk) in (their own) unrighteous qualities have called the prophets magicians and unrighteous;
آن خسان که در کژیها مانده‌اند ** انبیا را ساحر و کژ خوانده‌اند
And those base Amírs, (who were) forgers of falsehood, conceived this evil thought about the chamber of Ayáz,
وآن امیران خسیس قلب‌ساز ** این گمان بردند بر حجره‌ی ایاز
(Supposing) that he kept there a buried hoard and treasure. Do not look at others in the mirror of thyself!
کو دفینه دارد و گنج اندر آن ** ز آینه‌ی خود منگر اندر دیگران
The King, indeed, knew his innocence: (only) on their account was he making that investigation,1985
شاه می‌دانست خود پاکی او ** بهر ایشان کرد او آن جست و جو
Saying, “O Amír, open the door of the chamber at midnight, when he (Ayáz) will be unaware of it,
کای امیر آن حجره را بگشای در ** نیم شب که باشد او زان بی‌خبر
In order that his (secret) thoughts may come to light: afterwards it rests with me to punish him.
تا پدید آید سگالشهای او ** بعد از آن بر ماست مالشهای او