LVI: Since thou art occupied in giving ear unto…

Since thou art occupied in giving ear unto envy and covetousness,
Tho' thou shouldst the possessor of treasures become, a poor beggar art thou.

Sovereignty and dominion shall follow thee, like a shadow,
If thou art content, like the Huma, upon dry bones to live.

Wherefore then, cast away life and faith, for the sake of the belly?
Why, O why! dost thou, broken-down-asses, upon roses graze?

Like unto dogs, that circle round about the putrid carcass,
Thus thou, for protection, to worthy and unworthy payest court.

Thy human nature will become that of the dog by this covetousness;
Therefore, guard well thy integrity by patience, if thou art wise.

Greediness and envy will bring such calamities upon thee
As may never have befallen any one--so hereafter wilt thou say.

Safety from Hell's burning flames, cannot be effected by this,
That thou shouldst gay clothes don, eat delicacies, and extol thyself.

In this world, restrain thy violent passions by devotion and piety,
If thou entertain the desire of salvation, in the world to come.

Since in love, thou endurest such an amount of affliction,
Thou form of Hamid! what a terrible calamity art thou!