How oft hath thy limping been turned into a smooth (easy) gait, how oft hath thy soul been made void of grief and pain!
چند آن لنگی تو رهوار شد ** چند جانت بی غم و آزار شد
O heedless one, tie a string to thy foot, that thou mayst not become lost to (unconscious of) thyself even, O sluggard!
ای مغفل رشتهای بر پای بند ** تا ز خود هم گم نگردی ای لوند
Thy ingratitude and forgetfulness did not call to mind thy (former) drinking of honey.310
ناسپاسی و فراموشی تو ** یاد ناورد آن عسلنوشی تو
Necessarily, that way (by which spiritual blessings were conveyed) became barred to thee, since the hearts of the “men of heart” were made sore by thee.
لاجرم آن راه بر تو بسته شد ** چون دل اهل دل از تو خسته شد
Quickly overtake them and ask pardon of God; weep lamentably like a cloud,
زودشان در یاب و استغفار کن ** همچو ابری گریههای زار کن
In order that their rose-garden may open its blossoms to thee, and that the ripe fruits may burst and reveal themselves.
تا گلستانشان سوی تو بشکفد ** میوههای پخته بر خود وا کفد
Pace round that same door: do not be less than a dog, if thou hast become (associated as) a fellow-servant with the dog of the Cave,
هم بر آن در گرد کم از سگ مباش ** با سگ کهف ار شدستی خواجهتاش
Because even dogs admonish dogs, saying, “Fix thy heart on thy first home,315
چون سگان هم مر سگان را ناصحاند ** که دل اندر خانهی اول ببند
Hold fast to the first door where thou didst eat bones, and fulfil thy obligation: do not leave that (debt unpaid).”
آن در اول که خوردی استخوان ** سخت گیر و حق گزار آن را ممان