The railers drove them back from the war, so that they remained so infamous and effeminate.
عاذلانشان از وغا وا راندند ** تا چنین حیز و مخنث ماندند
Do not thou hearken to the boasting and roaring of the driveller: do not go into the battle-line with such fellows.4020
لاف و غره‌ی ژاژخا را کم شنو ** با چنینها در صف هیجا مرو
Since they would have added to you (naught but) corruption, God said, “Turn the leaf (avert yourself) from pusillanimous comrades,
زانک زاد و کم خبالا گفت حق ** کز رفاق سست برگردان ورق
For if they go along with you, the warriors will become pith- less, like straw.
که گر ایشان با شما همره شوند ** غازیان بی‌مغز همچون که شوند
They put themselves in line with you (on the field of battle); then they flee and break the heart of the line.
خویشتن را با شما هم‌صف کنند ** پس گریزند و دل صف بشکنند
Therefore, better a little army without these persons than (that) it should be mustered (reinforced) with the Hypocrites.”
پس سپاهی اندکی بی این نفر ** به که با اهل نفاق آید حشر
A few well-sifted almonds are better than a great many (sweet ones) mixed with bitter..4025
هست بادام کم خوش بیخته ** به ز بسیاری به تلخ آمیخته
The bitter and the sweet are one thing (alike) in respect of rattling (against each other, when poured out); the defect arises from their not being the same at heart.
تلخ و شیرین در ژغاژغ یک شی‌اند ** نقص از آن افتاد که همدل نیند
The infidel is of timorous heart, for, (judging) from opinion, he lives in doubt as to the state of that (the other) world.
گبر ترسان دل بود کو از گمان ** می‌زید در شک ز حال آن جهان
He is going along the road, (but) he does not know any stage: one blind in heart steps timidly.