(When) an ascetic met him, one who had suffered anguish, whose brain was dry, and who was (writhing) in the coils of affliction;
پیشش آمد زاهدی غم دیده‌ای ** خشک مغزی در بلا پیچیده‌ای
His body melted by the fires of his heart; the house (of his heart) emptied of all but God.
تن ز آتشهای دل بگداخته ** خانه از غیر خدا پرداخته
The chastisement of pitiless tribulation (had seared him with) brands on brands, (ever) so many thousands.
گوشمال محنت بی‌زینهار ** داغها بر داغها چندین هزار
Every hour saw his heart (engaged) in the struggle: by day and night he was firmly attached to (intent upon) the struggle.3465
دیده هر ساعت دلش در اجتهاد ** روز و شب چفسیده او بر اجتهاد
During years and months he had been mixed up with dust and blood: (on seeing the slave) at midnight, his patience and forbearance fled (from him).
سال و مه در خون و خاک آمیخته ** صبر و حلمش نیم‌شب بگریخته
“What is that in the jugs?” asked the ascetic. “Wine,” replied the slave. “Whose wine?” said he.
گفت زاهد در سبوها چیست آن ** گفت باده گفت آن کیست آن
He (the slave) answered, “It belongs to so-and-so, the most honourable Amír.” Said he, “Is the seeker's work like this?
گفت آن آن فلان میر اجل ** گفت طالب را چنین باشد عمل
(To be) a seeker of God, and then (indulge in) pleasure and drinking! (To drink) the Devil's wine, and then be (even) semi-intelligent!”
طالب یزدان و آنگه عیش و نوش ** باده‌ی شیطان و آنگه نیم هوش
(Even) without wine your intelligence is so shabby (that other) intelligences must be tied (added) to your (present) intelligence.3470
هوش تو بی می چنین پژمرده است ** هوشها باید بر آن هوش تو بست
Consider, (then), what your intelligence will be at the time when you are intoxicated, O you who like a bird have fallen a prey to the snare of intoxication.
تا چه باشد هوش تو هنگام سکر ** ای چو مرغی گشته صید دام سکر
Story of Ziyá-yi Dalq, who was very tall, while his brother, the Shaykh of Islam Táj of Balkh, was exceedingly short; and this Shaykh of Islam was ashamed of his brother Ziyá. (One day) Ziyá came to (hear) his brother's lecture, at which all the leading men of Balkh were present. Ziyá made a bow (to his brother) and passed on. The Shaykh of Islam half rose (from his seat) in a negligent manner, (whereupon) he (Ziyá) said, “Yes, you are very tall: take a bit off (your height)!”
حکایت ضیاء دلق کی سخت دراز بود و برادرش شیخ اسلام تاج بلخ به غایت کوتاه بالا بود و این شیخ اسلام از برادرش ضیا ننگ داشتی ضیا در آمد به درس او و همه صدور بلخ حاضر به درس او ضیا خدمتی کرد و بگذشت شیخ اسلام او را نیم قیامی کرد سرسری گفت آری سخت درازی پاره‌ای در دزد