گر تو بی‏تقلید از این واقف شوی ** بی‏نشان از لطف چون هاتف شوی‏

If you become acquainted with this without blind imitation, by (His) grace you will become immaterial, like a voice from Heaven.

بشنو این قصه پی تهدید را ** تا بدانی آفت تقلید را

Hear this (following) story as a deterrent, in order that you may know the banefulness of blind imitation.

فروختن صوفیان بهیمه‏ی مسافر را جهت سماع

How the Súfís sold the traveller's beast (to pay) for the (expenses of the) mystic dance.

صوفیی در خانقاه از ره رسید ** مرکب خود برد و در آخر کشید

A Súfí, after journeying, arrived at a monastery (for Súfís); he took his mount and led it to the stable.

آب کش داد و علف از دست خویش ** نه چنان صوفی که ما گفتیم پیش‏ 515

With his own hand he gave it a little water and some fodder: (he was) not such a Súfí as the one we told of before.

احتیاطش کرد از سهو و خباط ** چون قضا آید چه سود است احتیاط

He took precaution for it against neglect and craziness, (but) when the (Divine) destiny comes to pass, of what avail is precaution?

صوفیان در جوع بودند و فقیر ** کاد فقر أن یعی کفرا یبیر

The Súfís were destitute and poor: poverty almost comprises an infidelity that brings (the soul) to perdition.

ای توانگر که تو سیری هین مخند ** بر کجی آن فقیر دردمند

O thou rich man who art full fed, beware of laughing at the unrighteousness of the suffering poor.

از سر تقصیر آن صوفی رمه ** خر فروشی در گرفتند آن همه‏

On account of their destitution that Súfí flock, all of them, adopted (the expedient of) selling the ass,

کز ضرورت هست مرداری مباح ** بس فسادی کز ضرورت شد صلاح‏ 520

Saying, “(In case) of necessity a carcase is lawful (food); (there is) many a vicious act that necessity made a virtuous one.”

هم در آن دم آن خرک بفروختند ** لوت آوردند و شمع افروختند

They instantly sold the little ass; they fetched dainty viands and lit candles.