Magicians quickly measure moonbeams in the presence of the merchant and receive gold as profit.
ساحران مهتاب پیمایند زود ** پیش بازرگان و زر گیرند سود
(When) by artful tricks of this sort they take money, the money is gone from his (the purchaser's) hand, (but) there is no linen (to be seen).
سیم بربایند زین گون پیچ پیچ ** سیم از کف رفته و کرباس هیچ
This world is a sorcerer, and we are the merchants who buy from it the measured moonbeams.
این جهان جادوست ما آن تاجریم ** که ازو مهتاب پیموده خریم
Magician-like, it hastily measures out by the ell five hundred ells of linen from the light of the moonbeams,1040
گز کند کرباس پانصد گز شتاب ** ساحرانه او ز نور ماهتاب
(Yet), when it takes the money, (which is) thy life, O slave, the money is gone, there is no linen, and thy purse is empty.
چون ستد او سیم عمرت ای رهی ** سیم شد کرباس نی کیسه تهی
Thou must recite Say, I take refuge, crying, “O (Thou who art) One, come, save me from the witches and from (their) knots.
قل اعوذت خواند باید کای احد ** هین ز نفاثات افغان وز عقد
These sorceresses are blowing on the knots: help, O Thou whose help is besought against (the world's) victory and checkmate.”
می‌دمند اندر گره آن ساحرات ** الغیاث المستغاث از برد و مات
But invoke (Him) with the tongue of deeds also, for the tongue of words is weak, O honourable man.
لیک بر خوان از زبان فعل نیز ** که زبان قول سستست ای عزیز
In the world thou hast three fellow-travellers: one is faithful and these two (others) are treacherous.1045
در زمانه مر ترا سه همره‌اند ** آن یکی وافی و این دو غدرمند
One (of the latter) is friends and the other is goods and chattels; and the third (fellow-traveller) is faithful, and that one is excellence in deeds.
آن یکی یاران و دیگر رخت و مال ** وآن سوم وافیست و آن حسن الفعال
(Thy) wealth will not come with thee out of thy palaces; (thy) friend will come, but he will come (only) as far as thy grave.
مال ناید با تو بیرون از قصور ** یار آید لیک آید تا به گور
When thy day of doom comes to meet thee, thy friend will say (to himself) in the language appropriate to his sentiments,
چون ترا روز اجل آید به پیش ** یار گوید از زبان حال خویش
“(I have come) as far as here: I accompany thee no farther, I will stand a (little) while at thy grave.”
تا بدینجا بیش همره نیستم ** بر سر گورت زمانی بیستم
Thy deeds (alone) are faithful: make of them thy refuge, for they will come with thee into the depths of the tomb.1050
فعل تو وافیست زو کن ملتحد ** که در آید با تو در قعر لحد
Commentary on the saying of Mustafá (Mohammed), on whom be peace, “Thou must needs have a familiar who is buried with thee, he being alive, and with whom thou art buried when thou art dead; if he be generous, he will treat thee generously, and if he be base, he will forsake thee. That familiar is thy works, so make them right as far as thou art able.” The Messenger of Allah spake the truth.
در تفسیر قول مصطفی علیه‌السلام لا بد من قرین یدفن معک و هو حی و تدفن معه و انت میت ان کان کریما اکرمک و ان کان لیما اسلمک و ذلک القرین عملک فاصلحه ما استطعت صدق رسول‌الله
Therefore the Prophet said, “For the purpose of (traversing) this Way there is no comrade more faithful than works.
پس پیمبر گفت بهر این طریق ** باوفاتر از عمل نبود رفیق
If they be good they will be thy friends for ever, and if they be evil they will be (as) a snake in thy tomb.”
گر بود نیکو ابد یارت شود ** ور بود بد در لحد مارت شود
How, O father, can one do this work and earning in the Way of righteousness without a master?
این عمل وین کسب در راه سداد ** کی توان کرد ای پدر بی‌اوستاد
The meanest earning that goes on in the world, is it ever (practised) without the guidance of a master?
دون‌ترین کسبی که در عالم رود ** هیچ بی‌ارشاد استادی بود
Its beginning is knowledge; then (follows) action, that it may yield fruit after a time or after death.1055
اولش علمست آنگاهی عمل ** تا دهد بر بعد مهلت یا اجل
Seek help in (acquiring) crafts, O possessor of intelligence, from a generous and righteous craftsman.
استعینوا فی‌الحرف یا ذا النهی ** من کریم صالح من اهلها
Seek the pearl in the oyster-shell, my brother, and seek technical skill from the craftsmen.
اطلب الدر اخی وسط الصدف ** واطلب الفن من ارباب الحرف
If ye see sincere (spiritual) advisers, deal fairly (with them) and be eager to learn: do not show disdain.
ان رایتم ناصحین انصفوا ** بادروا التعلیم لا تستنکفوا
If the man (engaged) in tanning wore a threadbare garment, that did not diminish the master's mastery (of his trade);
در دباغی گر خلق پوشید مرد ** خواجگی خواجه را آن کم نکرد
If the ironsmith wore a patched frock when blowing the bellows, his reputation was not impaired in the eyes of the people.1060
وقت دم آهنگر ار پوشید دلق ** احتشام او نشد کم پیش خلق
Therefore strip the raiment of pride from thy body: in learning, put on the garment of humility.
پس لباس کبر بیرون کن ز تن ** ملبس ذل پوش در آموختن