(Only) one who is foolish will think ripe (and sweet) the ghawla which the ghouls deck out (describe as being attractive).
غوله‌ای را که بر آرایید غول ** پخته پندارد کسی که هست گول
When his soul makes trial (of it), its teeth are blunted by the experiment.
آزمایش چون نماید جان او ** کند گردد ز آزمون دندان او
From vain desire, the reflexion (distorting influence) of the ghoul, (which is) greed, was causing the trap to appear a (delicious) berry, though in truth it was unripe.
از هوس آن دام دانه می‌نمود ** عکس غول حرص و آن خود خام بود
Seek greed (seek to be eager) in the practice of religion and in good works: they are (still) beautiful, (even) when the greed (eagerness) remains not.1130
حرص اندر کار دین و خیر جو ** چون نماند حرص باشد نغزرو
Good works are beautiful (in themselves), not through the re flexion of any other thing: if the glow of greed is gone, the glow of good remains;
خیرها نغزند نه از عکس غیر ** تاب حرص ار رفت ماند تاب خیر
(But) when the glow of greed is gone from worldly work, of the red-hot coal (only) the black ashes are left.
تاب حرص از کار دنیا چون برفت ** فحم باشد مانده از اخگر بتفت
Folly excites greed (for amusement) in children, so that from gleefulness of heart they ride a cock-horse
کودکان را حرص می‌آرد غرار ** تا شوند از ذوق دل دامن‌سوار
When that evil greed of his is gone from the child, he begins to laugh at the other children,
چون ز کودک رفت آن حرص بدش ** بر دگر اطفال خنده آیدش
Saying, “What was I doing? What was I seeing in this?” From the reflexion of greed the vinegar appeared to be honey.1135
که چه می‌کردم چه می‌دیدم درین ** خل ز عکس حرص بنمود انگبین
That edifice of the prophets was (raised) without greed (self- interest); hence the splendours (of its renown) increased so uninterruptedly.
آن بنای انبیا بی حرص بود ** زان چنان پیوسته رونقها فزود
Oh, many a mosque have the noble (prophets) erected, but “the Farther mosque” is not its name.
ای بسا مسجد بر آورده کرام ** لیک نبود مسجد اقصاش نام
The grandeur which at every moment accrued to the Ka’ba— that (grandeur) was (derived) from the acts done in pure de voti on by Abraham.
کعبه را که هر دمی عزی فزود ** آن ز اخلاصات ابراهیم بود
The excellence of that mosque (which the prophets build) is not from earth and stone, but (because) there is no greed or enmity in its builder.
فضل آن مسجد خاک و سنگ نیست ** لیک در بناش حرص و جنگ نیست
Their Books are not as the books of others, nor their mosques nor their means of livelihood nor their houses and homes,1140
نه کتبشان مثل کتب دیگران ** نی مساجدشان نی کسب وخان و مان
Nor their observance of respect nor their anger nor their chastisement nor their slumber nor their reasoning nor their discourse.
نه ادبشان نه غضبشان نه نکال ** نه نعاس و نه قیاس و نه مقال
To each one of them belongs a different glory: (in each of them) the bird, their spirit, flies with a different wing.
هر یکیشان را یکی فری دگر ** مرغ جانشان طایر از پری دگر
The heart is trembling at mention of their (high) estate: their actions are the qibla (to which we turn for guidance) of our actions.
The eggs laid by their bird (spirit) are golden: at midnight their spirit hath beheld the dawn.
مرغشان را بیضه‌ها زرین بدست ** نیم‌شب جانشان سحرگه بین شدست
Whatsoever I say with (all) my soul in praise of the company (of the prophets), I have depreciated (them): I have become a disparager of the company.1145
هر چه گویم من به جان نیکوی قوم ** نقص گفتم گشته ناقص‌گوی قوم
O ye noble. (seekers of God), build “the Farther Mosque,” for Solomon hath returned—and peace (be with you)!
مسجد اقصی بسازید ای کرام ** که سلیمان باز آمد والسلام
And if the demons and genies refuse this (service)’, the angels will drag them all into bondage.
ور ازین دیوان و پریان سر کشند ** جمله را املاک در چنبر کشند
(If) the demon once make a false step on account of deceit and hypocrisy, the whip comes (down) on his head like lightning.
دیو یک دم کژ رود از مکر و زرق ** تازیانه آیدش بر سر چو برق
Become like Solomon, in order that thy demons may hew stone for thy palace.
چون سلیمان شو که تا دیوان تو ** سنگ برند از پی ایوان تو
Be devoid, like Solomon, of thoughts which tempt to evil-doing and of fraud, that genie and demon may obey thy command.1150
چون سلیمان باش بی‌وسواس و ریو ** تا ترا فرمان برد جنی و دیو
This heart is thy seal—and take heed lest the seal fall a prey to the demon!
خاتم تو این دلست و هوش دار ** تا نگردد دیو را خاتم شکار