One criticized the king of Ghazni,

‘Ayaz has no beauty, what a wonder!’

A flower that has neither color nor scent,

How strange it is for the nightingale to have desire for it!

Someone told Mahmoud this story,

He turned away from it, thinking deeply.

‘My love, O master, is for his nature,

Not for his good looks or stature.’

I heard that in a tight spot, a camel,

Fell and broke the chest’s lock.

He looted the kingdom, his sleeve spread wide,

And hurriedly rode off from there.

The riders, following the door and coral,

Were scattered by the Sultan’s looting.

No one was left among the proud necked thieves,

Except for Ayaz in the kingdom’s wake.

He looked at him and said, ‘O twisted heart’s beloved,

What have you brought from the plunder?’ He said, ‘Nothing.’

‘I ran after you,

Never neglecting service for reward.’

‘If you have closeness in the court,

Do not be unaware of the king’s presence.

It is against the way of the saints,

For them to seek anything but God from God.

If your eyes are on the favor of your friend,

You are bound by your own desires, not by the friend.

Until your mouth is closed by greed,

The secrets from the unseen will not reach your heart.

Truth is a home that is adorned,

While passion and desire rise like dust.

Do you not see that where dust rises,

No matter how clear-sighted a man is, he cannot see.