Thou knowest this licit (thing) and that illicit (thing), but art thou licit or illicit? Consider well!
این روا و آن ناروا دانی ولیک ** تو روا یا ناروایی بین تو نیک
Thou knowest what is the value of every article of merchandise; (if) thou knowest not the value of thyself, ’tis folly.
قیمت هر کاله میدانی که چیست ** قیمت خود را ندانی احمقیست
Thou hast become acquainted with the fortunate and inauspicious stars; thou dost not look to see whether thou art fortunate or unwashed (spiritually foul and ill-favoured).
سعدها و نحسها دانستهای ** ننگری سعدی تو یا ناشستهای
This, this, is the soul of all the sciences—that thou shouldst know who thou shalt be on the Day of Judgement.
جان جمله علمها اینست این ** که بدانی من کیم در یوم دین
Thou art acquainted with the fundamentals (usúl) of the (Mohammedan) Religion, but look upon thine own fundamental (asl) and see whether it is good.2655
آن اصول دین بدانستی ولیک ** بنگر اندر اصل خود گر هست نیک
Thine own fundamentals are better for thee than the two fundamentals (of the Mohammedan Religion), so that thou mayst know thine own fundamental (essential nature), O great man.
از اصولینت اصول خویش به ** که بدانی اصل خود ای مرد مه
Description of the luxuriance of the city of the Sabaeans and their ingratitude.
صفت خرمی شهر اهل سبا و ناشکری ایشان
Their fundamental (nature) was bad: those inhabitants of Sabá were recoiling from the means (which lead) to meeting (with God);
اصلشان بد بود آن اهل سبا ** میرمیدندی ز اسباب لقا
(Yet) He gave them so many estates and orchards and meadowlands, on the left hand and the right, for (their) leisure (pastime and diversion).
دادشان چندان ضیاع و باغ و راغ ** از چپ و از راست از بهر فراغ
Inasmuch as the fruit was falling (to the ground) from abundance, there was no room for any one to pass on the road,
بس که میافتاد از پری ثمار ** تنگ میشد معبر ره بر گذار
(For) the scattered largesse of fruit would block the way: the wayfarer (would be) in amazement at the plenty of the fruit.2660
آن نثار میوه ره را میگرفت ** از پری میوه رهرو در شگفت
In their groves, through the dropping of the fruit, a basket on the head would be filled involuntarily.
سله بر سر در درختستانشان ** پر شدی ناخواست از میوهفشان
The breeze would scatter the fruit, not (the hand of) any one: by that fruit a multitude of skirts would be filled.
باد آن میوه فشاندی نه کسی ** پر شدی زان میوه دامنها بسی
Huge clusters, having come low down, would strike against the head and face of the wayfarer.
خوشههای زفت تا زیر آمده ** بر سر و روی رونده میزده
On account of the plenty of gold a bath-stoker might have tied a golden belt on his waist.
مرد گلخنتاب از پری زر ** بسته بودی در میان زرین کمر
The dogs would trample buns underfoot; the desert wolf would have indigestion from the (rich) food.2665
سگ کلیچه کوفتی در زیر پا ** تخمه بودی گرگ صحرا از نوا
Town and village had become safe from robbers and wolves; the goat was not afraid even of the fierce wolf.
گشته آمن شهر و ده از دزد و گرگ ** بز نترسیدی هم از گرگ سترگ
If I explain (all) the blessings bestowed upon the people (of Sabá), which were increasing day by day,
گر بگویم شرح نعمتهای قوم ** که زیادت میشد آن یوما بیوم
It will hinder (me) from (speaking of) important matters. The prophets brought (to the Sabaeans) the (Divine) command, namely, “Do thou, therefore, be righteous.”
مانع آید از سخنهای مهم ** انبیا بردند امر فاستقم
How the prophets came from God to admonish the people of Sabá.
آمدن پیغامبران حق به نصیحت اهل سبا
Thirteen prophets came thither: all (of them) were ready to guide those who had lost the way,
سیزده پیغامبر آنجا آمدند ** گمرهان را جمله رهبر میشدند
Saying, “Come, the benefit has increased: where is the thanksgiving? If the steed of thanksgiving lie down, set (it) in motion.2670
که هله نعمت فزون شد شکر کو ** مرکب شکر ار بخسپد حرکوا
In (the view of) reason it is necessary to give thanks to the Benefactor; otherwise, the door of everlasting wrath will be opened.
شکر منعم واجب آید در خرد ** ورنه بگشاید در خشم ابد
Hark, behold the loving kindness (of God)! And in sooth would any one (but God) do this—namely, be content with a single thanksgiving for such benefits?
هین کرم بینید وین خود کس کند ** کز چنین نعمت به شکری بس کند
He bestows a head and asks as thanksgiving (only) one act of bowing; He bestows feet and asks as thanksgiving (only) one act of sitting (in piety and devotion).”
سر ببخشد شکر خواهد سجدهای ** پا ببخشد شکر خواهد قعدهای
The people said, “The ghoul has carried off our thanksgiving: we have become weary of giving thanks and receiving benefits.
قوم گفته شکر ما را برد غول ** ما شدیم از شکر و از نعمت ملول
We have become so disgusted with the bounty that neither piety nor sin pleases us.2675
ما چنان پژمرده گشتیم ازعطا ** که نه طاعتمان خوش آید نه خطا