(The text) Cleanse My house, ye twain, is the explanation of (such) purity: it (the purified heart) is a treasure of (Divine) light, though its talisman is of earth.
طهرا بيتي بیان پاکی است ** گنج نور است ار طلسمش خاکی است
When you practise deceit and envy against one who is without envy, from that envy black stain arise in your heart.435
چون کنی بر بیجسد مکر و حسد ** ز آن حسد دل را سیاهیها رسد
Become (as) dust under the feet of the men of God; throw dust on the head of envy, even as we do.
خاک شو مردان حق را زیر پا ** خاک بر سر کن حسد را همچو ما
Explanation of the envy of the vizier.
بیان حسد وزیر
That petty vizier had his origin from envy, so that for vanity he gave to the wind (sacrificed) his ears and nose,
آن وزیرک از حسد بودش نژاد ** تا به باطل گوش و بینی باد داد
In the hope that by the sting of envy his venom might enter the souls of the poor (Christians).
بر امید آن که از نیش حسد ** زهر او در جان مسکینان رسد
Any one who from envy mutilates his nose makes himself without ear and without nose (unable to apprehend spiritual things).
هر کسی کاو از حسد بینی کند ** خویشتن بیگوش و بیبینی کند
The nose is that which catches a scent, and which the scent leads towards an abode (of spiritual truth).440
بینی آن باشد که او بویی برد ** بوی او را جانب کویی برد
Whoever hath no scent is without a nose; the scent (referred to) is that scent which is religious.
هر که بویش نیست بیبینی بود ** بوی آن بوی است کان دینی بود
When he has caught a scent and given no thanks for it, (that) ingratitude comes and devours his nose (deprives him of the organ of spiritual perception).
چون که بویی برد و شکر آن نکرد ** کفر نعمت آمد و بینیش خورد
Give thanks (to God) and be a slave to those who give thanks: be in their presence (as one) dead, be steadfast.
شکر کن مر شاکران را بنده باش ** پیش ایشان مرده شو پاینده باش
Do not, like the vizier, make brigandage your stock-in-trade; do not turn the people away from the ritual prayer.
چون وزیر از ره زنی مایه مساز ** خلق را تو بر میاور از نماز
The miscreant vizier had become (in appearance) a true religious counsellor, (but) he had craftily put garlic in the walnut cake.445
ناصح دین گشته آن کافر وزیر ** کرده او از مکر در لوزینه سیر
How the sagacious among the Christians perceived the guile of the vizier.
فهم کردن حاذقان نصارا مکر وزیر را
Whoever was possessed of (spiritual) discernment was feeling a sweet savour in his words and, joined therewith, bitterness.
هر که صاحب ذوق بود از گفت او ** لذتی میدید و تلخی جفت او
He (the vizier) was saying fine things mixed (with foul): he had poured some poison into the sugared julep.
نکتهها میگفت او آمیخته ** در جلاب قند زهری ریخته
The outward sense of it was saying, “Be diligent in the Way,” but in effect it was saying to the soul, “Be slack.”
ظاهرش میگفت در ره چیست شو ** وز اثر میگفت جان را سست شو
If the surface of silver is white and new, (yet) the hands and dress are blackened by it.
ظاهر نقره گر اسپید است و نو ** دست و جامه می سیه گردد ازو
Although fire is red-faced (bright and glorious) with sparks, look at the black behaviour (displayed) in its action.450
آتش ار چه سرخ روی است از شرر ** تو ز فعل او سیه کاری نگر
If the lightning appears luminous to the eye, (yet) from its distinctive property it is the robber of sight (it strikes men blind).
برق اگر نوری نماید در نظر ** لیک هست از خاصیت دزد بصر
(As for) any (Christian) who was not wary and possessed of discernment, the words of him (the vizier) were (as) a collar on his neck.
هر که جز آگاه و صاحب ذوق بود ** گفت او در گردن او طوق بود
During six years, in separation from the king, the vizier became a refuge for the followers of Jesus.
مدت شش سال در هجران شاه ** شد وزیر اتباع عیسی را پناه
To him the people wholly surrendered their religion and their hearts: at his command and decree they were ready to die.
دین و دل را کل بدو بسپرد خلق ** پیش امر و حکم او میمرد خلق
How the king sent messages in secret to the vizier.
پیغام شاه پنهان با وزیر
Messages (passed) between the king and him: the king had words of comfort from him in secret.455
در میان شاه و او پیغامها ** شاه را پنهان بدو آرامها
The king wrote to him, saying, “O my fortunate one, the time is come: quickly set my mind at ease.”
پیش او بنوشت شه کای مقبلم ** وقت آمد زود فارغ کن دلم
He replied: “Behold, O king, I am preparing to cast disorders into the religion of Jesus.”
گفت اینک اندر آن کارم شها ** کافکنم در دین عیسی فتنهها
Explanation of the twelve tribes of the Christians.
بیان دوازده سبط از نصارا
The people of Jesus had twelve amírs as rulers in authority over them.
قوم عیسی را بد اندر دار و گیر ** حاکمانشان ده امیر و دو امیر