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
The veto causes the devout to hate (that which is vetoed); the veto incites the sensual to covet it.3660
نهی بر اهل تقی تبغیض شد ** نهی بر اهل هوا تحریض شد
Therefore He (God) leads many folk astray by this means, and by the same means He guides aright (many) a knowing heart.
پس ازین یغوی به قوما کثیر ** هم ازین یهدی به قلبا خبیر
How should the friendly dove be scared by the (fowler's) pipe? Nay, (only) the (wild) doves in the air are scared by that pipe.
کی رمد از نی حمام آشنا ** بل رمد زان نی حمامات هوا
Then they (the princes) said to him (the King), “We will perform the services (required of us), we will be intent on hearing and obeying (thy commands).
پس بگفتندش که خدمتها کنیم ** بر سمعنا و اطعناها تنیم
We will not turn aside from thy commands: ’twould be ingratitude to forget thy kindness”;
رو نگردانیم از فرمان تو ** کفر باشد غفلت از احسان تو