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
Hark, come into our boat, O wretched man, or (at least) tie that boat (of thine) to this boat (of ours).”
هی در آ در کشتی ما ای نژند ** یا تو آن کشتی برین کشتی ببند
He replies, “How should I abandon power and dominion? How should I follow thee blindly?”
گوید او چون ترک گیرم گیر و دار ** چون روم من در طفیلت کوروار
A blind man is certainly better off with a guide than (when he goes) alone: in the former case there is (only) one ignominy, while in the latter there are a hundred.
کور با رهبر به از تنها یقین ** زان یکی ننگست و صد ننگست ازین
Thou art fleeing from a gnat to a scorpion, thou art fleeing from a dewdrop into an ocean.
می‌گریزی از پشه در کزدمی ** می‌گریزی در یمی تو از نمی
Thou art fleeing from thy father's unkindnesses into the midst of scoundrels and mischief and trouble.4110
می‌گریزی از جفاهای پدر ** در میان لوطیان و شور و شر
Like Joseph, thou art fleeing from one sorrow to fall into a well (of woe) through (being beguiled by) “let us frolic and play.”
می‌گریزی هم‌چو یوسف ز اندهی ** تا ز نرتع نلعب افتی در چهی