When it (the bird) settles on the leaf for the purpose of eating, it falls into the mouth of the snake and (into the jaws of) death.
چون نشیند بهر خور بر روی برگ ** در فتد اندر دهان مار و مرگ
A crocodile opens its mouth: its teeth are surrounded by long worms.
کرده تمساحی دهان خویش باز ** گرد دندانهاش کرمان دراز
The worms were produced by the residue of food left in its teeth; and it gave them lodging there.
از بقیهی خور که در دندانش ماند ** کرمها رویید و بر دندان نشاند
The little birds see the worms and the food and imagine that coffin to be a meadow.
مرغکان بینند کرم و قوت را ** مرج پندارند آن تابوت را
When its mouth is filled with birds, it suddenly swallows them and closes its mouth (again).4085
چون دهان پر شد ز مرغ او ناگهان ** در کشدشان و فرو بندد دهان
Know that this world full of dessert (viands) and bread is like the open mouth of the crocodile.
این جهان پر ز نقل و پر ز نان ** چون دهان باز آن تمساح دان
O thou who scrapest together the means of livelihood, (in thy desire) for worms and morsels do not feel secure from the artfulness of the crocodile, (which is) Time.
بهر کرم و طعمه ای روزیتراش ** از فن تمساح دهر آمن مباش
A fox falls (and lies) flat under his earth: above his earth are deceptive grains,
روبه افتد پهن اندر زیر خاک ** بر سر خاکش حبوب مکرناک
In order that the heedless crow may approach them and the crafty one cunningly seize her by the leg.
تا بیاید زاغ غافل سوی آن ** پای او گیرد به مکر آن مکردان
Since there are a hundred thousand cunning tricks in animals, how (great) must be the cunning of Man who is superior (to all other animals)!4090
صدهزاران مکر در حیوان چو هست ** چون بود مکر بشر کو مهترست
In his hand (he carries) a copy of the Holy Book as (though he were) Zaynu ’l- ‘Ábidín; (but) in his sleeve a vengeful dagger.
مصحفی در کف چو زینالعابدین ** خنجری پر قهر اندر آستین
He addresses thee smilingly—“O my lord,” (while) in his heart there is a Babylon of sorcery and guileful spells.
گویدت خندان کای مولای من ** در دل او بابلی پر سحر و فن
(He is) deadly poison, (though) in appearance he is honey and milk. Beware, do not go (on thy way) save in company with a wise (spiritual) preceptor.
Now thou fallest on a mountain, now into a river; now thou wanderest in this direction, now in that.
بر که افتی گاه و در جوی اوفتی ** گه بدین سو گه بدان سوی اوفتی
O seeker of worldly estate, thou wilt never find the guide; and if thou find him, thou wilt avert thy face from him,4100
خود نبینی تو دلیل ای جاهجو ** ور ببینی رو بگردانی ازو
Saying, “I have travelled sixty miles on this road, and (now) this guide tells me I have lost my way.
که سفر کردم درین ره شصت میل ** مر مرا گمراه گوید این دلیل
If I give ear to this marvel, I must begin my journey again under his authority.
گر نهم من گوش سوی این شگفت ** ز امر او راهم ز سر باید گرفت
I have devoted my life to this journey: (I will pursue it) come what may. Begone, O Khwája!”
من درین ره عمر خود کردم گرو ** هرچه بادا باد ای خواجه برو
“(Yes), thou hast journeyed (far), but (only) in opinion (unsubstantial) as lightning: (come), make a tenth part of that journey for the sake of (Divine) inspiration (glorious) as the sunrise.
راه کردی لیک در ظن چو برق ** عشر آن ره کن پی وحی چو شرق
Thou hast read (the Verse), Opinion cannot serve instead of truth, and (yet) by a lightning-flash like that thou hast been blinded to a rising sun.4105
ظن لایغنی من الحق خواندهای ** وز چنان برقی ز شرقی ماندهای