They are kind and bribeless ones, helpers in the hard plight and the heavy (grievous) day.
مهربان بی‌رشوتان یاری‌گران ** در مقام سخت و در روز گران
Hark, seek this (saintly) company, O afflicted one! Hark, hold them (as) a prize before the (coming of) affliction.
هین بجو این قوم را ای مبتلا ** هین غنیمت دارشان پیش از بلا
Through the breath (prayer) of that (spiritual) hero the ship was saved, while the people in the ship thought (they were saved) by their own efforts,2225
رست کشتی از دم آن پهلوان ** واهل کشتی را بجهد خود گمان
(Supposing) that maybe in (the hour of) dread their arm had skilfully shot an arrow at the target.
که مگر بازوی ایشان در حذر ** بر هدف انداخت تیری از هنر
Foxes, in the chase, are saved by their legs, but the foxes inconsiderately deem that (safety to proceed) from their tails.
پا رهاند روبهان را در شکار ** و آن زدم دانند روباهان غرار
(Hence) they play fondly with their tails, thinking, “These save our lives in the ambuscade (of calamity).”
عشقها با دم خود بازند کین ** می‌رهاند جان ما را در کمین
O fox, preserve your legs from (being broken by) brickbats; when you have no legs, what use is your tail, O bold-eyed one?
روبها پا را نگه دار از کلوخ ** پا چو نبود دم چه سود ای چشم‌شوخ
We are like foxes, and the noble (saints) are (as) our legs: they save us from a hundred kinds of vengeance.2230
ما چو روباهان و پای ما کرام ** می‌رهاندمان ز صدگون انتقام
Our subtle contrivance is as our tails: we play fondly with our tails, left and right.
حیله‌ی باریک ما چون دم ماست ** عشقها بازیم با دم چپ و راست
We wag our tails in argumentation and cunning, in order that Zayd and Bakr may remain amazed at us.
دم بجنبانیم ز استدلال و مکر ** تا که حیران ماند از ما زید و بکر
We have sought to excite the amazement of the people; we have eagerly grasped at Divinity,
طالب حیرانی خلقان شدیم ** دست طمع اندر الوهیت زدیم
That by means of guile we may gain possession of (the people's) hearts; we do not see that we are in a ditch.
تا بافسون مالک دلها شویم ** این نمی‌بینیم ما کاندر گویم
You are in the ditch and in the pit, O scoundrel: keep your hands off the moustache of others!2235
در گوی و در چهی ای قلتبان ** دست وا دار از سبال دیگران
When you arrive at a fair and beauteous garden, after that lay hold of the people's skirts and lead them.
چون به بستانی رسی زیبا و خوش ** بعد از آن دامان خلقان گیر و کش
O you who dwell in the prison of the four (elements) and the five (senses) and the six (directions), lead others also to (such) a goodly place!
ای مقیم حبس چار و پنج و شش ** نغز جایی دیگران را هم بکش
O you who, like an ass-servant, are the comrade of the ass's rump, you have found a (fine) spot to kiss: take us (to it)!
ای چو خربنده حریف کون خر ** بوسه گاهی یافتی ما را ببر
Since (true) servitude to the Beloved has not been granted you, whence has arisen in you the wish for sovereignty?
چون ندادت بندگی دوست دست ** میل شاهی از کجاات خاستست
In your desire that they should say to you “Bravo!” you have tied a bowstring on the neck of your soul.2240
در هوای آنک گویندت زهی ** بسته‌ای در گردن جانت زهی
O fox, abandon this tail, (which is) contrivance, and devote your heart to the lords of the heart (the saints).
روبها این دم حیلت را بهل ** وقف کن دل بر خداوندان دل
(Whilst you are) under the protection of the lion, roast-meat will not fail;O fox, do not hasten towards the carcase.
در پناه شیر کم ناید کباب ** روبها تو سوی جیفه کم شتاب
O heart, thou wilt be regarded (with favour) by God at the moment when, like a part, thou goest towards thy Whole.
تو دلا منظور حق آنگه شوی ** که چو جزوی سوی کل خود روی
God saith, “Our regard is (bestowed) on the heart; it is not (bestowed) on the external form, which is (only) water and earth.”
حق همی‌گوید نظرمان در دلست ** نیست بر صورت که آن آب و گلست
You say, “I too have a heart”; (but) the heart is above the empyrean, it is not below.2245
تو همی‌گویی مرا دل نیز هست ** دل فراز عرش باشد نه به پست
Certainly in the dark earth also there is water, but ’tis not proper for you to wash your hands with that water,
در گل تیره یقین هم آب هست ** لیک زان آبت نشاید آب‌دست
Because, though it is water, it is overcome by the earth. Do not, then, say of your heart, “This too is a heart.”
زانک گر آبست مغلوب گلست ** پس دل خود را مگو کین هم دلست