پیشش آمد زاهدی غم دیده‌ای ** خشک مغزی در بلا پیچیده‌ای
(When) an ascetic met him, one who had suffered anguish, whose brain was dry, and who was (writhing) in the coils of affliction;
تن ز آتشهای دل بگداخته ** خانه از غیر خدا پرداخته
His body melted by the fires of his heart; the house (of his heart) emptied of all but God.
گوشمال محنت بی‌زینهار ** داغها بر داغها چندین هزار
The chastisement of pitiless tribulation (had seared him with) brands on brands, (ever) so many thousands.
دیده هر ساعت دلش در اجتهاد ** روز و شب چفسیده او بر اجتهاد 3465
Every hour saw his heart (engaged) in the struggle: by day and night he was firmly attached to (intent upon) the struggle.
سال و مه در خون و خاک آمیخته ** صبر و حلمش نیم‌شب بگریخته
During years and months he had been mixed up with dust and blood: (on seeing the slave) at midnight, his patience and forbearance fled (from him).
گفت زاهد در سبوها چیست آن ** گفت باده گفت آن کیست آن
“What is that in the jugs?” asked the ascetic. “Wine,” replied the slave. “Whose wine?” said he.
گفت آن آن فلان میر اجل ** گفت طالب را چنین باشد عمل
He (the slave) answered, “It belongs to so-and-so, the most honourable Amír.” Said he, “Is the seeker's work like this?
طالب یزدان و آنگه عیش و نوش ** باده‌ی شیطان و آنگه نیم هوش
(To be) a seeker of God, and then (indulge in) pleasure and drinking! (To drink) the Devil's wine, and then be (even) semi-intelligent!”
هوش تو بی می چنین پژمرده است ** هوشها باید بر آن هوش تو بست 3470
(Even) without wine your intelligence is so shabby (that other) intelligences must be tied (added) to your (present) intelligence.
تا چه باشد هوش تو هنگام سکر ** ای چو مرغی گشته صید دام سکر
Consider, (then), what your intelligence will be at the time when you are intoxicated, O you who like a bird have fallen a prey to the snare of intoxication.
حکایت ضیاء دلق کی سخت دراز بود و برادرش شیخ اسلام تاج بلخ به غایت کوتاه بالا بود و این شیخ اسلام از برادرش ضیا ننگ داشتی ضیا در آمد به درس او و همه صدور بلخ حاضر به درس او ضیا خدمتی کرد و بگذشت شیخ اسلام او را نیم قیامی کرد سرسری گفت آری سخت درازی پاره‌ای در دزد
Story of Ziyá-yi Dalq, who was very tall, while his brother, the Shaykh of Islam Táj of Balkh, was exceedingly short; and this Shaykh of Islam was ashamed of his brother Ziyá. (One day) Ziyá came to (hear) his brother's lecture, at which all the leading men of Balkh were present. Ziyá made a bow (to his brother) and passed on. The Shaykh of Islam half rose (from his seat) in a negligent manner, (whereupon) he (Ziyá) said, “Yes, you are very tall: take a bit off (your height)!”