When it tarries long, they say (from weariness), “We wonder whether it was a (real) prey or a phantom.”
چون بماند دیر گویند از ملال ** صید بود آن خود عجب یا خود خیال
The right course is that, for a short while, they should gather come strength and vigour by (taking) a rest.3730
مصلحت آنست تا یک ساعتی ** قوتی گیرند و زور از راحتی
If there were no night, on account of cupidity all people would consume themselves by the agitation (of pursuit).
گر نبودی شب همه خلقان ز آز ** خویشتن را سوختندی ز اهتزاز
From desire and greed of amassing gain, every one would give his body to be consumed.
از هوس وز حرص سود اندوختن ** هر کسی دادی بدن را سوختن
Night appears, like a treasure of mercy, that they may be delivered from their greed for a short while.
شب پدید آید چو گنج رحمتی ** تا رهند ازحرص خود یکساعتی
When a feeling of (spiritual) contraction comes over you, O traveller, ’tis (for) your good: do not become afire (with grief) in your heart,
چونک قبضی آیدت ای راهرو ** آن صلاح تست آتش دل مشو
For in that (contrary state of) expansion and delight you are spending: the expenditure (of enthusiasm) requires an income of (painful) preparation (to balance it).3735
زآنک در خرجی در آن بسط و گشاد ** خرج را دخلی بباید زاعتداد
If it were always the season of summer, the blazing heat of the sun would penetrate the garden
گر هماره فصل تابستان بدی ** سوزش خورشید در بستان شدی
And burn up from root and bottom the soil whence its plants grow, so that the old (withered) ones would never again become fresh.
منبتش را سوختی از بیخ و بن ** که دگر تازه نگشتی آن کهن
If December is sour-faced, (yet) it is kind; summer is laughing, but (none the less) it is burning (destroying).
گر ترشرویست آن دی مشفق است ** صیف خندانست اما محرقست