(But) the Devil was introducing to the (young) man's mind an evil suggestion, in order that the (spiritual) Moon might be concealed by dust,
دیو می‌آورد پیش هوش مرد ** وسوسه تا خفیه گردد مه ز گرد
Namely, “Why should this Shaykh of the (true) religion keep in his house a woman like this as his mate and companion?
کین چنین زن را چرا این شیخ دین ** دارد اندر خانه یار و همنشین
Whence (this) familiarity between opposite and opposite? Whence (comes it that) a nasnás (anthropoid ape) is (associated) with the Imám of mankind?”2120
ضد را با ضد ایناس از کجا ** با امام‌الناس نسناس از کجا
Then again he was exclaiming fervidly, “God help me! My impugning him (the Shaykh) is infidelity and enmity.
باز او لاحول می‌کرد آتشین ** که اعتراض من برو کفرست و کین
Who am I, in view of God's exercising (absolute) control (over everything he does), that my carnal soul should raise difficulties and objections?”
من کی باشم با تصرفهای حق ** که بر آرد نفس من اشکال و دق
But soon his carnal soul was returning to the attack—(for) in consequence of this acquaintance (there was) smoke in his straw-like heart—
باز نفسش حمله می‌آورد زود ** زین تعرف در دلش چون کاه دود
Saying, “What affinity has (this woman like) the Devil with (a saint like) Gabriel, that she should be his bedfellow in (connubial) intercourse?
که چه نسبت دیو را با جبرئیل ** که بود با او به صحبت هم مقیل
How can Khalíl (Abraham) agree with Ázar? How can a guide agree with a brigand?”2125
چون تواند ساخت با آزر خلیل ** چون تواند ساخت با ره‌زن دلیل
How the disciple gained his wish and met the Shaykh near the forest.
یافتن مرید مراد را و ملاقات او با شیخ نزدیک آن بیشه
He was (absorbed) in this (perplexity) when suddenly the renowned Shaykh appeared before him, riding on a lion.
اندرین بود او که شیخ نامدار ** زود پیش افتاد بر شیری سوار
The roaring lion carried his faggots, while that blessed one sat on the top of them.
شیر غران هیزمش را می‌کشید ** بر سر هیزم نشسته آن سعید