On Sultan Mahmud and Ayaz حکایت سلطان محمود و سیرت ایاز
On Sultan Mahmud and Ayaz (حکایت سلطان محمود و سیرت ایاز) is from Chapter III, On Love (در عشق و مستی و شور) 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
| A person in Guzni thus slandered the king: “Ayaz has no beauty; oh wonderful thing! On a rose that has neither got colour nor smell, It is strange that the nightingale’s passion should dwell! ” | یکی خرده بر شاه غزنین گرفت که حسنی ندارد ایاز ای شگفت گلی را که نه رنگ باشد نه بوی غریب است سودای بلبل بر اوی! |
| By some one the tale to Mahmud had been brought, And he showed himself greatly distressed at the thought. Oh master! my love’s for his nature,” he said, “By his height or fine figure it has not been bred.” | به محمود گفت این حکایت کسی بپیچید از اندیشه بر خود بسی که عشق من ای خواجه بر خوی اوست نه بر قد و بالای نیکوی اوست |
| I have heard that a camel fell down in a pass, And shattered a box, full of jewels, alas! These the king in his favour as plunder bestowed, And swiftly away on his charger then rode. | شنیدم که در تنگنایی شتر بیفتاد و بشکست صندوق در به یغما ملک آستین برفشاند وزان جا بتعجیل مرکب براند |
| On picking up pearls all the horsemen were bent; For the booty, away from the monarch they went. Of the noble attendants, no person there was In rear of the monarch, excepting Ayaz. | سواران پی در و مرجان شدند ز سلطان به یغما پریشان شدند نماند از وشاقان گردن فراز کسی در قفای ملک جز ایاز |
| The king looked and said, “Oh my curly haired one! Of the booty, what share have you brought? ” He said, ” None! I straightway in rear of you galloped my steed; I left not attendance for plunder, indeed.” | نگه کرد کای دلبر پیچ پیچ ز یغما چه آوردهای؟ گفت هیچ من اندر قفای تو میتاختم ز خدمت به نعمت نپرداختم |
| If a confidant’s place in the court you possess, Neglect not the king for the sake of a dress! J Tis opposed to religion that saints, in their line, Should desire ought of God but the spirit divine. | گرت قربتی هست در بارگاه به خلعت مشو غافل از پادشاه خلاف طریقت بود کاولیا تمنا کنند از خدا جز خدا |
| Should your hope in a friend on his kindness depend, You are serving yourself at the cost of the friend While avarice keeps your two lips wide apart, The Secret from God shuns the ear of your heart. | گر از دوست چشمت بر احسان اوست تو در بند خویشی نه در بند دوست تو را تا دهن باشد از حرص باز نیاید به گوش دل از غیب راز |
| The Truth is a mansion, embellished with care; Lust and Passion are dust that has risen up there. Don’t you see that wherever the dust clouds arise, A man sees no object, although he has eyes? | حقایق سرایی است آراسته هوی و هوس گرد برخاسته نبینی که جایی که برخاست گرد نبیند نظر گرچه بیناست مرد |
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by: Reza about (category: Bustan Saadi)
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