(But) wherever is a flock of blind birds, they will gather around thee, O brackish flood-water,
هر کجا باشند جوق مرغ کور ** بر تو جمع آیند ای سیلاب شور
That (their) blindness may be increased by (thy) brackish waters; for brackish water increases blindness.
تا فزاید کوری از شورابها ** زانک آب شور افزاید عمی
Hence the worldly are blind of heart: they are drinkers of the brackish water of clay.815
اهل دنیا زان سبب اعمی‌دل‌اند ** شارب شورابه‌ی آب و گل‌اند
Continue to give brackish water and buy (the favour of) the blind in the world, since thou hast not the Water of Life within thee.
شور می‌ده کور می‌خر در جهان ** چون نداری آب حیوان در نهان
In such a (despicable) state (as has been described) thou wouldst fain live and be remembered: in blackness of face (shame and opprobrium), like a negro, thou art rejoicing.
با چنین حالت بقا خواهی و یاد ** هم‌چو زنگی در سیه‌رویی تو شاد
The negro in (his) blackness is pleased (with himself), for he has (always) been a negro by birth and nature;
در سیاهی زنگی زان آسوده است ** کو ز زاد و اصل زنگی بوده است
(But) he that (even) for a day is beloved and beautiful, if he become black, will seek to repair (the misfortune).
آنک روزی شاهد و خوش‌رو بود ** گر سیه‌گردد تدارک‌جو بود
When the bird that can fly remains (helpless) on the earth, it is in anguish and grief and lamentation;820
مرغ پرنده چو ماند در زمین ** باشد اندر غصه و درد و حنین
(But) the domestic fowl walks complacently on the earth: it runs about picking grain and happy and bold,
مرغ خانه بر زمین خوش می‌رود ** دانه‌چین و شاد و شاطر می‌دود
Because by nature it was (always) without (the power of) flight, while the other (bird) was (naturally) a flier and open-winged.
زآنک او از اصل بی‌پرواز بود ** وآن دگر پرنده و پرواز بود
The Prophet, on whom be peace, said, “Pity three (classes of men): the mighty man of a people who is abased, and the rich man of a people who is impoverished, and a learned man whom the ignorant make sport of.”
قال النبی علیه‌السلام ارحموا ثلاثا عزیز قوم ذل و غنی قوم افتقر و عالما یلعب به الجهال