When authority is in the hands of profligates, (a) Dhu ’l-Nún is inevitably in prison.
چون که حکم اندر کف رندان بود ** لاجرم ذو النون در زندان بود
The great king rides alone! Such a unique pearl in the hands of children!
یک سواره میرود شاه عظیم ** در کف طفلان چنین در یتیم
What pearl? (Nay), the Sea hidden in a drop, a Sun concealed in a mote.1395
در چه دریا نهان در قطرهای ** آفتابی مخفی اندر ذرهای
A Sun showed itself as a mote, and little by little uncovered its face.
آفتابی خویش را ذره نمود ** و اندک اندک روی خود را بر گشود
All motes vanished in it; the (whole) world became intoxicated by it and (then) became sober.
جملهی ذرات در وی محو شد ** عالم از وی مست گشت و صحو شد
When the pen (of authority) is in the hand of a traitor, unquestionably Mansúr is on a gibbet.
چون قلم در دست غداری بود ** بیگمان منصور بر داری بود
When this affair (dominion) belongs to the foolish, the necessary consequence is (that) they kill the prophets.
چون سفیهان راست این کار و کیا ** لازم آمد یقتلون الأنبیاء
Through folly the people who had lost the (right) way said to the prophets, “Lo, we augur ill from you.”1400
انبیا را گفته قومی راه گم ** از سفه إنا تطیرنا بکم
See the ignorance of the Christian appealing for protection to the Lord who was suspended (on the Cross)!
جهل ترسا بین امان انگیخته ** ز آن خداوندی که گشت آویخته
Since, according to his (the Christian's) belief, He was crucified by the Jews, how then can He protect him?
چون به قول اوست مصلوب جهود ** پس مر او را امن کی تاند نمود
Inasmuch as the heart of that King (Jesus) bleeds on account of them (the Christians), how should there be (for them) the inviolable defence of whilst thou art amongst them?
چون دل آن شاه ز ایشان خون بود ** عصمت و أنت فیهم چون بود
To the pure gold and to the goldsmith the danger from the false counterfeiter is greater (than from any one else).
زر خالص را و زرگر را خطر ** باشد از قلاب خاین بیشتر
Josephs are concealed on account of the jealousy of the ugly, for because of enemies the beautiful live in the fire (of tribulation).1405
یوسفان از رشک زشتان مخفیند ** کز عدو خوبان در آتش میزیند
Josephs are in the pit through the guile of (their) brethren, who from envy give Joseph to the wolves.
یوسفان از مکر اخوان در چهاند ** کز حسد یوسف به گرگان میدهند
What happened to Joseph of Egypt on account of envy? This envy is a big wolf in covert.
از حسد بر یوسف مصری چه رفت ** این حسد اندر کمین گرگی است زفت
Of necessity, kind Jacob always had fear and dread for Joseph because of this wolf.
لاجرم زین گرگ یعقوب حلیم ** داشت بر یوسف همیشه خوف و بیم
The outward (visible) wolf, indeed, did not prowl about (approach) Joseph; (but) this envy has actually surpassed wolves (in malignity).
گرگ ظاهر گرد یوسف خود نگشت ** این حسد در فعل از گرگان گذشت
This (visible) wolf took pity (on Joseph), and by way of specious excuse came (the words), “Lo, we went to compete with one another.”1410
رحم کرد این گرگ و ز عذر لبق ** آمده که إنا ذهبنا نستبق
Hundreds of thousands of wolves have not this cunning; (but) this wolf will at last be put to shame—stop (and see)!—
صد هزاران گرگ را این مکر نیست ** عاقبت رسوا شود این گرگ بیست
Because on the Day of Bale the envious will without doubt be (raised from the dead and) brought together (to Judgement) in the shape of wolves.
ز انکه حشر حاسدان روز گزند ** بیگمان بر صورت گرگان کنند
The resurrection of the greedy vile eater of carrion (unlawful food) will be in the shape of a hog on the Day of Reckoning.
حشر پر حرص خس مردار خوار ** صورت خوکی بود روز شمار
Adulteris (erit) foetor membri latentis; wine-drinkers will have stinking mouths. [Adulturers (will) have stinking private members; wine-drinkers will have stinking mouths.]
زانیان را گند اندام نهان ** خمر خواران را بود گند دهان
The hidden stench that was reaching (only) to (people's) hearts will become sensible and manifest at the Resurrection.1415
گند مخفی کان به دلها میرسید ** گشت اندر حشر محسوس و پدید
The being of Man is a jungle: be on your guard against this being, if you are of that (Divine) Breath.
بیشهای آمد وجود آدمی ** بر حذر شو زین وجود ار ز آن دمی
In our being there are thousands of wolves and hogs; (there is) goodly and ungodly and fair and foul.
در وجود ما هزاران گرگ و خوک ** صالح و ناصالح و خوب و خشوک