When the girl had almost reached womanhood, the suitors (for her hand) were offering heavy dowries,
چون مراهق گشت دختر طالبان ** بذل می‌کردند کابین گران
And there was continually coming to him (the Khwája) from every nobleman a wooer to ask for the girl (in marriage).
می‌رسیدش از سوی هر مهتری ** بهر دختر دم به دم خوزه‌گری
The Khwája said (to himself), “Wealth has no permanence: it comes in the morning, and at night it goes in all directions (is scattered to the winds).255
گفت خواجه مال را نبود ثبات ** روز آید شب رود اندر جهات
Physical beauty too has no importance, for a (rosy) face is made yellow (pale) by a single thorn-scratch.
حسن صورت هم ندارد اعتبار ** که شود رخ زرد از یک زخم خار
Noble birth also is of small account, for he (such an one) is befooled by money and horses.”
سهل باشد نیز مهترزادگی ** که بود غره به مال و بارگی
Oh, there is many a nobleman's son who in riot and mischief has disgraced his father by his wicked deeds.
ای بسا مهتربچه کز شور و شر ** شد ز فعل زشت خود ننگ پدر
Do not court a man full of talent either, (even) if he be exquisite (in that respect), and take a warning from (the example of) Iblís.
پر هنر را نیز اگر باشد نفیس ** کم پرست و عبرتی گیر از بلیس
He (Iblís) had knowledge, (but) since he had not religious love, he beheld in Adam nothing but a figure of clay.260
علم بودش چون نبودش عشق دین ** او ندید از آدم الا نقش طین
Though you may know (all) the minutiae of knowledge, O trustworthy (scholar), not by that (means) will your two (inward) eyes that discern the invisible be opened.
گرچه دانی دقت علم ای امین ** زانت نگشاید دو دیده‌ی غیب‌بین
He (the scholar) sees nothing but a turban and beard: he asks the announcer (for information) about his (the stranger's) merits and demerits.
او نبیند غیر دستاری و ریش ** از معرف پرسد از بیش و کمیش