On Bravery حکایت شجاعت
On Bravery (حکایت شجاعت) is from Chapter I, On Justice, Wisdom and Government (در عدل و تدبیر و رای) of Saadi’s Bustan (بوستان, “The Orchard”), written in 1257. The Persian verses are given with a rhymed English translation, couplet by couplet.
Bustan Saadi بوستان سعدی
| ow well spoke Gurghln to his son, on the day That he bound on his quiver and sword, for the fray. “If you harbour a thought, like a woman, of flight, Do not go! and defame not war’s heroes of might “ | چه خوش گفت گرگین به فرزند خویش چو بربست قربان پیکار و کیش اگر چون زنان جست خواهی گریز مرو آب مردان جنگی مریز |
| The horseman who showed in the battle his back, Not himself, but brave warriors extinguished, alack ! No valour, except in those two comrades, shows, Who right in the centre of battle deal blows | سواری که بنمود در جنگ پشت نه خود را که نام آوران را بکشت شجاعت نیاید مگر زان دو یار که افتند در حلقه کارزار |
| Two messmates, of similar language and race, To their utmost will strive, in the fight’s centre place ; For the one feels ashamed from the arrows to go, While his brother is seized, in the hands of the foe. | دو همجنس همسفره همزبان بکوشند در قلب هیجا به جان که ننگ آیدش رفتن از پیش تیر برادر به چنگال دشمن اسیر |
| xWhen you find that your friends are unwilling to aid, Let arrangements for flight, and not plunder, be made ! | چو بینی که یاران نباشند یار هزیمت ز میدان غنیمت شمار |
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by: Reza about (category: Bustan Saadi)
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