A certain divine had collected some old rags and wound them in his turban,
یک فقیهی ژنده‌ها در چیده بود ** در عمامه‌ی خویش در پیچیده بود
In order that it might become big and look grand when he came into the assembly in the Hatím.
تا شود زفت و نماید آن عظیم ** چون در آید سوی محفل در حطیم
He had clipped the rags from (various) garments and outwardly embellished the turban with them.1580
ژنده‌ها از جامه‌ها پیراسته ** ظاهرا دستار از آن آراسته
The exterior of the turban was like a robe of Paradise, (but) it was shameful and ugly within, like the hypocrite.
ظاهر دستار چون حله‌ی بهشت ** چون منافق اندرون رسوا و زشت
Shreds of dalq (dervish-cloak) and cotton and fur were buried inside that turban.
پاره پاره دلق و پنبه و پوستین ** در درون آن عمامه بد دفین
He had set his face towards the college at dawn, that by means of this false dignity he might gain (material) blessings.
روی سوی مدرسه کرده صبوح ** تا بدین ناموس یابد او فتوح
A clothes-robber stood waiting on the dark road to practise his craft.
در ره تاریک مردی جامه کن ** منتظر استاده بود از بهر فن
He snatched the turban from his head, and then started to run in order that he might settle the business.1585
در ربود او از سرش دستار را ** پس دوان شد تا بسازد کار را
Thereupon the divine shouted at him, saying, “O son, undo the turban (first), then take it (away with you).
پس فقیهش بانگ برزد کای پسر ** باز کن دستار را آنگه ببر
Even as you are flying with four wings (very rapidly), (with the same speed) undo the gift which you are taking away.
این چنین که چار پره می‌پری ** باز کن آن هدیه را که می‌بری
Undo it and rub (feel) with your hand, then take it if you like: I sanction (that).”
باز کن آن را به دست خود بمال ** آنگهان خواهی ببر کردم حلال
When he who was fleeing undid it, a hundred thousand rags dropped on the road.
چونک بازش کرد آنک می‌گریخت ** صد هزاران ژنده اندر ره بریخت
Of that big improper turban of his there remained in his (the robber's) hand (only) an ell of old cloth.1590
زان عمامه‌ی زفت نابایست او ** ماند یک گز کهنه‌ای در دست او
He dashed the rag on the ground, saying, “O worthless man, by this fraud you have put me out of business (deprived me of profit).”
بر زمین زد خرقه را کای بی‌عیار ** زین دغل ما را بر آوردی ز کار
The World's mute admonition to worldlings, and how it displays its faithlessness to those who have hope of its keeping faith (with them).
نصیحت دنیا اهل دنیا را به زبان حال و بی‌وفایی خود را نمودن به وفا طمع دارندگان ازو
He (the divine) said, “I defrauded (you), but (at the same time) I declared to you the (truth of the) matter by way of admonition.”
گفت بنمودم دغل لیکن ترا ** از نصیحت باز گفتم ماجرا
Likewise the World, though it blossomed delightfully (made a fair show), at the same time uttered a (warning) cry and declared its faithlessness.
هم‌چنین دنیا اگر چه خوش شکفت ** بانگ زد هم بی‌وفایی خویش گفت
In this (realm of) existence and corruption, O master, existence is the fraud and that corruption is the admonition.
اندرین کون و فساد ای اوستاد ** آن دغل کون و نصیحت آن فساد
Existence says, “Come, I am delectable,” and its corruption says, “Go, I am nothing.”1595
کون می‌گوید بیا من خوش‌پیم ** وآن فسادش گفته رو من لا شی‌ام
O thou that bitest thy lip (in admiration) at the beauty of spring, look on the coldness and paleness of autumn.
ای ز خوبی بهاران لب گزان ** بنگر آن سردی و زردی خزان
In the daytime thou didst deem the countenance of the sun beauteous: remember its death in the moment of setting.
روز دیدی طلعت خورشید خوب ** مرگ او را یاد کن وقت غروب
Thou sawest the full-moon on this lovely firmament: observe also its anguish (caused by the loss of visibility) during the interlunar period.
بدر را دیدی برین خوش چار طاق ** حسرتش را هم ببین اندر محاق
A boy, on account of his beauty, became the lord of the people: after the morrow he became doting and exposed to the scorn of the people.
کودکی از حسن شد مولای خلق ** بعد فردا شد خرف رسوای خلق
If the body of those in the fresh bloom of youth has made thee a prey, after (it has come to) old age behold a body (bleached) like a cotton plantation.1600
گر تن سیمین‌تنان کردت شکار ** بعد پیری بین تنی چون پنبه‌زار
O thou who hast seen rich viands, arise and see the residue thereof in the latrine.
ای بدیده لوتهای چرب خیز ** فضله‌ی آن را ببین در آب‌ریز
Say to the filth, “Where is that beauty of thine—the savour and goodliness and (sweet) scent (which thou hadst) in the dish?”
مر خبث را گو که آن خوبیت کو ** بر طبق آن ذوق و آن نغزی و بو