XXVI: Be not grieved at the departure of this…

Be not grieved at the departure of this world's wealth!
Be not sorrowful if out of thy foot cometh a broken thorn!

The flesh's lusts and vanities, God hath given captive unto thee;
Then do not thou, the captive of thine own slaves, become!

Godliness and piety cannot exist with conceit and egotism:
In this matter, without a guide or instructor, be thou not!

There is no bridle that can be placed in the mouth of passion;
Then let it not be trained up, as a reprobate and robber, by thee!

Where is the scar of a single brand? where that of a thousand?
Enter not, then, into schemes for increasing worldly wealth!

Say, is the light or the heavy load, the best for the head?
Indigence, for thee, is good: do not thou a lordling become!

The Almighty hath given thee ears to hear, and eyes to see;
Then do not, wittingly, like one, blind, from the precipice fall!

With smiling face and unclouded brow, unto the world become
Its injustice-receiving target; but, the arrow, become thou not!

All other bonds soever, O Hamid! are easy to be borne;
But, at least, let thy neck be, from the chain of avarice, free!