(And) every time the people (the travellers) lifted him up: they all thought he was ill.245
هر زمانش خلق بر میداشتند ** جمله رنجورش همیپنداشتند
One would twist his ears hard, while another sought for the (lacerated) part under his palate,
آن یکی گوشش همیپیچید سخت ** و آن دگر در زیر گامش جست لخت
And another searched for the stone in his shoe, and another looked at the dirt in his eye.
و آن دگر در نعل او میجست سنگ ** و آن دگر در چشم او میدید زنگ
Also they were saying,“O Shaykh, what is the cause of this? Were not you saying yesterday, ‘Thanks (to God), this ass is strong’?”
باز میگفتند ای شیخ این ز چیست ** دی نمیگفتی که شکر این خر قوی است
He replied, “The ass that ate Lá hawl during the night cannot get along except in this manner.
گفت آن خر کاو به شب لاحول خورد ** جز بدین شیوه نداند راه کرد
Inasmuch as the ass's food by night was Lá hawl, he was glorifying God by night and (is engaged) in prostrating himself by day.”250
چون که قوت خر به شب لاحول بود ** شب مسبح بود و روز اندر سجود
Most people are man-eaters: put no trust in their saying, “Peace to you.”
آدمی خوارند اغلب مردمان ** از سلام علیکشان کم جو امان
The hearts of all are the Devil's house: do not accept (listen to) the palaver of devilish men.
خانهی دیو است دلهای همه ** کم پذیر از دیو مردم دمدمه
He that swallows Lá hawl from the breath (mouth) of the Devil, like that ass falls headlong in the fight.
از دم دیو آن که او لاحول خورد ** هم چو آن خر در سر آید در نبرد
Whoever swallows the Devil's imposture in this world and (swallows) veneration and deceit from the foe that has the face (semblance) of a friend,
هر که در دنیا خورد تلبیس دیو ** و ز عدوی دوست رو تعظیم و ریو
In the Way of Islam and on the bridge Sirát he will fall upon his head from giddiness, like that ass.255
در ره اسلام و بر پول صراط ** در سر آید همچو آن خر از خباط
Beware! Do not hearken to the blandishments of the bad friend: espy the snare, do not walk securely on the earth.
عشوههای یار بد منیوش هین ** دام بین ایمن مرو تو بر زمین
See the hundred thousand devils who utter Lá hawl! O Adam, in the serpent behold Iblís!
صد هزار ابلیس لاحول آر بین ** آدما ابلیس را در مار بین
He gives (you) vain words, he says to you, “O my soul and beloved,” that he may strip the skin off his beloved, like a butcher.
دم دهد گوید ترا ای جان و دوست ** تا چو قصابی کشد از دوست پوست
He gives vain words that he may strip off your skin: woe to him that tastes opium from (the mouth of) enemies.
دم دهد تا پوستت بیرون کشد ** وای او کز دشمنان آفیون چشد
He lays his head at your feet (in flattery) and butcher-like gives (you) vain (wheedling) words, that he may shed your blood miserably.260
سر نهد بر پای تو قصابوار ** دم دهد تا خونت ریزد زار زار
Like a lion, hunt your prey yourself: leave (pay no heed to) the blandishment of stranger or kinsman.
همچو شیری صید خود را خویش کن ** ترک عشوهی اجنبی و خویش کن
Know that the regard of the base is like that servant; ’tis better to have nobody (as your friend) than (to accept) the flattery of nobodies (worthless people).