The fountain of Mercy has become unlawful to them: they are drinking cup after cup of deadly poison.
چشمه‌ی راحت بریشان شد حرام ** می‌خورند از زهر قاتل جام‌جام
Having filled their skirts with clods, they are taking them along in order to make a dam for these fountains.
خاکها پر کرده دامن می‌کشند ** تا کنند این چشمه‌ها را خشک‌بند
How should this fountain, which is replenished by the Sea, be stopped up by this good or bad folk’s handful of earth?
کی شود این چشمه‌ی دریامدد ** مکتنس زین مشت خاک نیک و بد
But it (the fountain) says, ‘With you, I am closed; Without you, I continue (to flow) unto everlasting.’ ”2275
لیک گوید با شما من بسته‌ام ** بی‌شما من تا ابد پیوسته‌ام
The (worldly) folk are perverted in their appetites: (they are) eating earth and have left the water (untasted).
قوم معکوس‌اند اندر مشتها ** خاک‌خوار و آب را کرده رها
The people (of the world) have a nature opposite to that of the prophets: the people deem the dragon (the world) an object of reliance.
ضد طبع انبیا دارند خلق ** اژدها را متکا دارند خلق
Inasmuch as you have known (from the Qur’an) the eye-bandage whereby God steals (the sight) do you know at all to what you have shut your eyes?
چشم‌بند ختم چون دانسته‌ای ** هیچ دانی از چه دیده بسته‌ای
To what instead have you opened these eyes (of yours)? (Whatever it be), know that in every respect it is a bad exchange for you.
بر چه بگشادی بدل این دیده‌ها ** یک به یک بس البدل دان آن ترا
But (nevertheless) the sun of (Divine) favour has shone (forth) and has graciously succoured them that despair.2280
لیک خورشید عنایت تافته‌ست ** آیسان را از کرم در یافته‌ست
He (God) in His mercy has played a very marvellous game of backgammon: He has made the essence of ingratitude to be a turning in repentance (towards Him).
نرد بس نادر ز رحمت باخته ** عین کفران را انابت ساخته