XX: How long wilt thou wander, O covetous one!…

How long wilt thou wander, O covetous one! in the world's pursuit?
This very avarice, in itself, is an impediment in thy design!

For far fiercer than fire, is the flame of covetousness:
As much more as its food may be, so much is its voracity.

New cares and anxieties about it, every moment increase:
It hath taken all zest and pleasure from its bondsmen.

It coquets and toys, separately, with every one:
To the whole creation it is the seller, and they its buyers are.

Neither did Shaddad, in his arrogance, enter his paradise,
Nor did Karun derive any profit from its pursuit.

It concealed religion from the children of profanity;
And the straight-path, mere rites and ceremonies termed.

It hath spread out a great net in this universal road;
And no wise man, save the contented, escapeth from it.

The pious and devout, thro' contentment, peace of mind acquire,
When unto the Consoler, they their distressed hearts turn.

From head to foot, the devout shall become illumined,
When they, thro' their hearts' courage, to the Creator draw nigh.

He, who hath died unto the world, obtaineth all things--
This is the great axiom of the Sower of bygone times.

The advantages he will acquire, will exceed all computation,
Who, in his necessities, becometh the acquirer of the Giver of Good.

Both states of being he vieweth, upon every respiration:
In truth, he is absorbed into the Shining Bright.

On the foot of the spirit, he ever soareth upon them,
However sublime the highest heaven, or the empyrean boundless.

His ice-like scepticism becometh thawed, by unity's sun:
He neither speaketh, nor acteth, save with the Creator's assent.

The felicity of the wise is after this manner recounted--
That its signification relateth unto the reality itself.

If adoration unto the Almighty is a divine command,
Bow thine head, unto the good and perfect too.

How long wilt thou have occasion for Mirza, as the medium?
Distinguish thou thyself, O auditor, the speaker's voice!