- This topic is endless. Beware, O company (of travellers), keep your faces (safe) from that fortress! 3650
- این سخن پایان ندارد ای گروه ** هین نگه دارید زان قلعه وجوه
- Oh, let not vain desire waylay you, or ye will fall into everlasting misery.
- هین مبادا که هوستان ره زند ** که فتید اندر شقاوت تا ابد
- ’Tis a bounden duty to abstain from peril: hear disinterested advice from me.
- از خطر پرهیز آمد مفترض ** بشنوید از من حدیث بی‌غرض
- In seeking relief (from sorrow) ’tis better that one's wits should be sharp: ’tis better to abstain from (falling into) the ambuscade of tribulation.”
- در فرج جویی خرد سر تیز به ** از کمین‌گاه بلا پرهیز به
- If their father had not spoken these words and had not warned them against that fortress,
- گر نمی‌گفت این سخن را آن پدر ** ور نمی‌فرمود زان قلعه حذر
- Their party would never have approached the fortress, their desire would never have inclined towards it; 3655
- خود بدان قلعه نمی‌شد خیلشان ** خود نمی‌افتاد آن سو میلشان
- For it was not well-known: it was exceedingly remote and aloof from the (other) fortresses and the highways.
- کان نبد معروف بس مهجور بود ** از قلاع و از مناهج دور بود
- (But) when he (the King) uttered that prohibition, their hearts were thrown by his speech into vain desire and into the quarter of phantasy,
- چون بکرد آن منع دلشان زان مقال ** در هوس افتاد و در کوی خیال
- And, because of this prohibition, a craving arose in their hearts to investigate the secret of that (fortress).
- رغبتی زین منع در دلشان برست ** که بباید سر آن را باز جست
- Who is (to be found) that will refrain from the forbidden thing, since man longs eagerly for what is forbidden?
- کیست کز ممنوع گردد ممتنع ** چونک الانسان حریص ما منع