Story of the dervish and the rich man حکایت در معنی رحمت بر ضعیفان و اندیشه در عاقبت
Story of the Dervish and the Rich Man (حکایت در معنی رحمت بر ضعیفان و اندیشه در عاقبت) is from Chapter II, On Beneficence (در احسان) 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 Dervish complained of his state, so distressed, To a hot-tempered person who riches possessed. Not a rap did the black-hearted miser bestow; But, in arrogance, angrily bawled at him, so | بنالید درویشی از ضعف حال بر تندرویی خداوند مال نه دینار دادش سیه دل نه دانگ بر او زد به سرباری از طیره بانگ |
| That the poor beggar’s heart, at his tyranny, bled; He from grief raised his head, and, “Oh wonderment said; “Why at least should one opulent sour-visaged be? From the terror of begging, perhaps, he is free “! | دل سائل از جور او خون گرفت سر از غم برآورد و گفت ای شگفت توانگر ترش روی، باری، چراست؟ مگر مینترسد ز تلخی خواست؟ |
| The short-sighted ordered; the slave, in due course, Expelled him in perfect disgrace, and by force. As he failed to give thanks to the cherishing Lord, I have heard that good fortune away from him soared. | بفرمود کوته نظر تا غلام براندش بخواری و زجر تمام به ناکردن شکر پروردگار شنیدم که برگشت از او روزگار |
| The head of his greatness, on ruin he placed; And Mercury’s pen, his fair fortune effaced. | بزرگیش سر در تباهی نهاد عطارد قلم در سیاهی نهاد |
| Like a garlic clove, Wretchedness seated him nude; He saved not his baggage nor pack-horses, good. On his head Fate the dust of starvation then brought; His purse and his hand, like the juggler’s, held nought. | شقاوت برهنه نشاندش چو سیر نه بارش رها کردو نه بارگیر فشاندش قضا بر سر از فاقه خاک مشعبد صفت، کیسه و دست پاک |
| His state was completely inverted at last; With affairs in this pickle, a period passed. To a kind-hearted person his slave was consigned; Rich of heart and of hand, and enlightened in mind. | سراپای حالش دگرگونه گشت بر این ماجری مدتی برگذشت غلامش به دست کریمی فتاد توانگر دل و دست و روشن نهاد |
| At the sight of a pauper, in sorrowful plight, He was glad as the poor, to whom wealth gives delight. At night, some one asked for a bit at his door Weak in step from the burden of hardship he bore. | به دیدار مسکین آشفته حال چنان شاد بودی که مسکین به مال شبانگه یکی بر درش لقمه جست ز سختی کشیدن قدمهاش سست |
| The clear-sighted man, thus, his servant addressed —: “Go and gladden the heart of that beggar, distressed”! When the slave carried near him a share from the tray, He uttered a cry, he was helpless to stay; | بفرمود صاحب نظر بنده را که خشنود کن مرد درمنده را چو نزدیک بردش ز خوان بهرهای برآورد بی خویشتن نعرهای |
| And when he returned to his master again, The tears on his cheeks made his secret quite plain. | شکسته دل آمد بر خواجه باز عیان کرده اشکش به دیباجه راز |
| The chief of the happy in nature, then, said —: “Whose tyranny causes those tears to be shed “? | بپرسید سالار فرخنده خوی که اشکت ز جور که آمد به روی؟ |
| He answered, ” My heart grieves as much as it can, At the state of this aged, unfortunate man. For I was his slave in the good days of old; He was owner of property, silver and gold; | بگفت اندرونم بشورید سخت بر احوال این پیر شوریده بخت که مملوک وی بودم اندر قدیم خداوند اسباب و املاک و سیم |
| When, in grandeur and pride, his hand ceased to be In dbor-to-door begging, his hand became long “, strong, He smiled, saying, “This is not harshness, oh son! The changes of Time bring oppression to none. | چو کوتاه شد دستش از عز و ناز کند دست خواهش به درها دراز بخندید وگفت ای پسر جور نیست ستم بر کس از گردش دور نیست |
| Is this wretch not that merchant of days long gone by, Who, in haughtiness, carried his head to the sky? I am he whom that day he expelled from his gate — The revolving of Time has placed him in my state. | نه آن تند روی است بازارگان که بردی سر از کبر بر آسمان؟ من آنم که آن روزم از در براند به روز منش دور گیتی نشاند |
| The Sky once again took a look at my case, And washed all the traces of dust from my face. If God in His wisdom one portal should close, By His favour another wide-open He throws. | نگه کرد باز آسمان سوی من فرو شست گرد غم از روی من خدای ار به حکمت ببندد دری گشاید به فضل و کرم دیگری |
| Full many a pauper has satisfied grown; Many rich men’s affairs have become overthrown “- | بسا مفلس بینوا سیر شد بسا کار منعم زبر زیر شد |
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by: Reza about (category: Bustan Saadi)
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