He unmans men in a moment: he kindles vain desire in man and woman.
مردی مردان ببندد در نفس ** در زن و در مرد افروزد هوس
O Iblís, you that consume the people and seek to tempt them (to their ruin), on what ground did you awaken me? Tell the truth!”
ای بلیس خلق سوز فتنه جو ** بر چیام بیدار کردی راست گو
How Iblís once more exhibited his deceit.
باز تقریر ابلیس تلبیس خود را
He said, “No man that thinks evil (is suspicious) would hearken to the truth notwithstanding a hundred signs (that pointed it out).
گفت هر مردی که باشد بد گمان ** نشنود او راست را با صد نشان
Every mind that has conceived fancies (suspicions)—when you bring forward proof, its fancy is increased.2715
هر درونی که خیالاندیش شد ** چون دلیل آری خیالش بیش شد
When (sound and true) words enter it, they become a disease (they are corrupted and falsified): the holy warrior's sword becomes a tool for the thief.
چون سخن دروی رود علت شود ** تیغ غازی دزد را آلت شود
Therefore the answer to him is silence and rest: to talk with a fool is madness.
پس جواب او سکوت است و سکون ** هست با ابله سخن گفتن جنون
Why do you complain to God of me, O simpleton? Complain of the wickedness of that vile fleshly soul.
تو ز من با حق چه نالی ای سلیم ** تو بنال از شر آن نفس لئیم
You eat halwá (sweetmeat), (then) boils break out in you, fever lays hold of you, your health is disordered.
تو خوری حلوا تو را دنبل شود ** تب بگیرد طبع تو مختل شود
You curse Iblís, guiltless (though he is). How do you not see (that) that deception (proceeds) from yourself?2720
بیگنه لعنت کنی ابلیس را ** چون نبینی از خود آن تلبیس را
It is not (the fault) of Iblís, it is (the fault) of yourself, O misguided one, that you are going like a fox towards the sheep's fat tail.
نیست از ابلیس از تست ای غوی ** که چو روبه سوی دنبه میدوی
When you see the fat tails in the green field, ’tis a snare. Why are you ignorant of this?
چون که در سبزه ببینی دنبه را ** دام باشد این ندانی تو چرا
You are ignorant because desire for the fat tail has made you far from knowledge and has blinded your (spiritual) eye and intelligence.
ز آن ندانی کت ز دانش دور کرد ** میل دنبه چشم و عقلت کور کرد
Your love of (sensual) things makes you blind and deaf; your black fleshly soul is the culprit: do not quarrel (with others).
حبک الأشیاء یعمیک یصم ** نفسک السودا جنت لا تختصم
Do not put the guilt on me, do not see upside down. I am averse to evil and greed and enmity.2725
تو گنه بر من منه کژ مژ مبین ** من ز بد بیزارم و از حرص و کین
I did an evil deed and am still repenting: I am waiting that my night may turn to day.
من بدی کردم پشیمانم هنوز ** انتظارم تا شبم آید به روز
I have become suspect amongst mankind: every man and woman lay their (evil) actions on me (at my door).
متهم گشتم میان خلق من ** فعل خود بر من نهد هر مرد و زن
The helpless wolf, though he is hungry, is suspected of being in luxury.
گرگ بیچاره اگر چه گرسنه است ** متهم باشد که او در طنطنه است
When, because of feebleness, he cannot go his way, people say it is indigestion (arising) from gross (rich and heavy) food.”
از ضعیفی چون نتاند راه رفت ** خلق گوید تخمه است از لوت زفت
How Mu‘áwiya once more pressed Iblís hard.
باز الحاح کردن معاویه ابلیس را
He said, “Nothing but the truth will save you: justice is calling you to (speak) the truth.2730
گفت غیر راستی نرهاندت ** داد سوی راستی میخواندت
Tell the truth, so that you may be delivered from my hand: cunning will not lay the dust of my war (will not induce me to leave you in peace).”
راست گو تا وارهی از چنگ من ** مکر ننشاند غبار جنگ من
He (Iblís) said, “How do you know (the difference between) falsehood and truth, O thinker of vain fancies, (you that are) filled with (idle) thoughts (about me)?”
گفت چون دانی دروغ و راست را ** ای خیالاندیش پر اندیشهها
He answered, “The Prophet has given an indication: he has laid down the touchstone (criterion) for (distinguishing) the base coin and the good.
گفت پیغمبر نشانی داده است ** قلب و نیکو را محک بنهاده است
He has said, ‘Falsehood is (the cause of) disquiet in (men's) hearts’; he has said, ‘Truth is (the cause of) a joyous tranquillity.’
گفته است الکذب ریب فی القلوب ** گفت الصدق طمانین طروب
The (troubled) heart is not comforted by lying words: water and oil kindle no light.2735
دل نیارامد ز گفتار دروغ ** آب و روغن هیچ نفروزد فروغ
(Only) in truthful speech is there comfort for the heart: truths are the bait that entraps the heart.
در حدیث راست آرام دل است ** راستیها دانهی دام دل است