Many the naked (destitute) stranger that went into it (at nightfall) and went at dawn, like the stars, into the grave.
بس که اندر وی غریب عور رفت ** صبحدم چون اختران در گور رفت
Make thyself very attentive to this (tale)! The dawn is come, cut short thy slumber!3925
خویشتن را نیک ازین آگاه کن ** صبح آمد خواب را کوتاه کن
Every one used to say that in it there were fierce Jinnís who killed the guests with blunt swords.
هر کسی گفتی که پریانند تند ** اندرو مهمان کشان با تیغ کند
Another would say, “It is the magic and talisman, for this enchantment is the foe and enemy of life.”
آن دگر گفتی که سحرست و طلسم ** کین رصد باشد عدو جان و خصم
Another would say, “Put an inscription (notice) conspicuously on its door—‘O guest, do not stay here.
آن دگر گفتی که بر نه نقش فاش ** بر درش کای میهمان اینجا مباش
Do not sleep the night here, if you want to live; otherwise, death will unmask an ambush for you in this place.’”
شب مخسپ اینجا اگر جان بایدت ** ورنه مرگ اینجا کمین بگشایدت
And another would say, “Bolt (the door) at night, (and when) a heedless person comes, do not admit him.”3930
وان یکی گفتی که شب قفلی نهید ** غافلی کاید شما کم ره دهید
How the guest came into the mosque.
مهمان آمدن در آن مسجد
(So it continued) till a guest arrived at nightfall who had heard that marvellous rumour.
تا یکی مهمان در آمد وقت شب ** کو شنیده بود آن صیت عجب
He was testing (it) in order to put (it) to the proof, for he was very valiant and surfeited with life.
از برای آزمون می‌آزمود ** زانک بس مردانه و جان سیر بود
He said (to himself), “I take little account of a (sheep's) head and belly: suppose that one grain is gone from the spirit's treasure, (what does it matter?)
گفت کم گیرم سر و اشکمبه‌ای ** رفته گیر از گنج جان یک حبه‌ای