He ( the Khwaja) was distracted by message upon message, till the clear water of his prudence became turbid.415
از پیام اندر پیام او خیره شد ** تا زلال حزم خواجه تیره شد
On the same side his children in approval (of the country-man’s invitation) were joyously striking up “Let us frolic and play,”
هم ازینجا کودکانش در پسند ** نرتع و نلعب بشادی می‌زدند
Like Joseph, whom by the wondrous (act of Divine) predestination (the words). “Let us frolic and play” carried off from his father’s shadow (protection).
همچو یوسف کش ز تقدیر عجب ** نرتع و نلعب ببرد از ظل آب
That is not (joyful) play; nay, ‘tis play with one’s life, ‘tis cunning and deceit and contrivance of fraud.
آن نه بازی بلک جانبازیست آن ** حیله و مکر و دغاسازیست آن
Whatsoever would fling you asunder from the Friend, do not listen to it, for it holds loss, loss.
هرچه از یارت جدا اندازد آن ** مشنو آن را کان زیان دارد زیان
(Even) if the gain be a hundred hundredfold, do not accept it: do not, for the sake of the gold, break with the dervish (who is) the treasurer (of the Divine bounty)!420
گر بود آن سود صد در صد مگیر ** بهر زر مگسل ز گنجور ای فقیر
Hear how many a rebuke, hot and cold (kindly and severe), God addressed to the Companions of the Prophet,
این شنو که چند یزدان زجر کرد ** گفت اصحاب نبی را گرم و سرد
Because, in a year of distress (famine), at the sound of the drum they (quitted) without tarrying (and) made void the Friday congregation,
زانک بر بانگ دهل در سال تنگ ** جمعه را کردند باطل بی درنگ
“Lest” (so they said) “others should buy cheap and get the advantage over us in respect of those imported goods.”
تا نباید دیگران ارزان خرند ** زان جلب صرفه ز ما ایشان برند
The Prophet was left alone in prayer with two or three poor men firm (in their faith) and full of supplication.
ماند پیغامبر بخلوت در نماز ** با دو سه درویش ثابت پر نیاز
He (God) said, “How did the drum and the pastime and a trading affair sunder you from a man of God?425
گفت طبل و لهو و بازرگانیی ** چونتان ببرید از ربانیی
Ye have dispersed (and run) madly towards the wheat, and left a Prophet standing (in prayer).
قد فضضتم نحو قمح هائما ** ثم خلیتم نبیا قائما
On account of the wheat ye sowed the seed of vanity and forsook that Messenger of God.
بهر گندم تخم باطل کاشتید ** و آن رسول حق را بگذاشتید
Companionship with him is better that pastime and riches: (look and ) see whom thou hast forsaken, rub an eye!
صحبت او خیر من لهوست و مال ** بین کرا بگذاشتی چشمی بمال
Verily, to your greed did not this become certain, that I am the Provider and the best of them that provide?”
خود نشد حرص شما را این یقین ** که منم رزاق و خیر الرازقین
He that giveth sustenance from Himself unto the wheat, how should He let thy acts of trust (in Him) be wasted?430
آنک گندم را ز خود روزی دهد ** کی توکلهات را ضایع نهد
For the sake of wheat thou hast become parted from Him who hath sent the wheat from Heaven.
از پی گندم جدا گشتی از آن ** که فرستادست گندم ز آسمان
How the falcon invited the ducks to come from the water to the plain.
دعوت باز بطان را از آب به صحرا
Says the falcon to the duck, “Arise from the water, that thou mayst see the plains diffusing sweetness,”
باز گوید بط را کز آب خیز ** تا ببینی دشتها را قندریز
(But) the wise duck says to him, “Away, O falcon! The water is our stronghold and safety and joy.”
بط عاقل گویدش ای باز دور ** آب ما را حصن و امنست و سرور
The Devil is like the falcon. O ducks, make haste (to guard yourselves)! Beware, do not come out of your stronghold, the water.
دیو چون باز آمد ای بطان شتاب ** هین به بیرون کم روید از حصن آب
They (the ducks) say to the falcon, “Begone, begone! Turn back and keep the hand off our heads, O kind friend!435
باز را گویند رو رو باز گرد ** از سر ما دست دار ای پای‌مرد
We are quit of thy invitation: (keep) the invitation for thyself: we will not listen to these words of thine, O infidel!
ما بری از دعوتت دعوت ترا ** ما ننوشیم این دم تو کافرا
The stronghold (the water) is (enough) for us: let the sugar and sugar-fields be thine! I do not desire thy gift: take it for thyself!
حصن ما را قند و قندستان ترا ** من نخواهم هدیه‌ات بستان ترا
Whilst there is life (in the body), food will not fail; when there is an army, banners will not fail.”
چونک جان باشد نیاید لوت کم ** چونک لشکر هست کم ناید علم
The prudent Khwája offered many an excuse and made many a pretext to the (countryman who resembled the) obstinate Devil.
خواجه‌ی حازم بسی عذر آورید ** بس بهانه کرد با دیو مرید