He (the wheat-merchant) gives the purchaser a handful of wheat, in order that he may know (the quality of) the wheat in the granary.
کف گندم زان دهد خریار را ** تا بداند گندم انبار را
The teacher explains a nice point in order that you may recognise that his knowledge exceeds (those limits);
نکته‌ای زان شرح گوید اوستاد ** تا شناسی علم او را مستزاد
And if you say, “This is all (the knowledge) he has,” he will cast you far (from him) as sticks and straws (are cast) from the beard.2120
ور بگویی خود همینش بود و بس ** دورت اندازد چنانک از ریش خس
“Now come, O Ayáz, and deal justice: lay the foundation of a rare justice in the world.
ای ایاز اکنون بیا و داده ده ** داد نادر در جهان بنیاد نه
Those who have sinned against thee deserve to be killed, but in hope (of escaping death) they are attending (waiting upon) thy pardon and forbearance,
مجرمانت مستحق کشتن‌اند ** وز طمع بر عفو و حلمت می‌تنند
To see whether mercy will prevail or wrath, whether the water of Kawthar will prevail or the flames (of Hell).”
تا که رحمت غالب آید یا غضب ** آب کوثر غالب آید یا لهب
From the (ancient) Covenant of Alast (until now) both (these) boughs, (namely) forbearance and anger, are in existence for the purpose of carrying men (up to God).
از پی مردم‌ربایی هر دو هست ** شاخ حلم و خشم از عهد الست
Hence the perspicuous word Alast is (a case of) negation and affirmation joined in one word,2125
بهر این لفظ الست مستبین ** نفی و اثباتست در لفظی قرین
Because this (Alast) is an affirmative question, but (nevertheless) the word laysa is buried in it.
زانک استفهام اثباتیست این ** لیک در وی لفظ لیس شد قرین
Leave off, and let this exposition remain incomplete: do not lay the bowl for the elect on the table of the vulgar.
ترک کن تا ماند این تقریر خام ** کاسه‌ی خاصان منه بر خوان عام