Story OF THE SAINT AND THE FERRY-BOAT حکایت عابد و کشتی
Story of the Saint and the Ferry-boat (حکایت عابد و کشتی) 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
| It occurred that a saint from Faryab once, and I In the land of the west to a river came nigh. I possessed but one direm, so me they took o’er In the vessel, and left the poor man on the shore. | قضا را من و پیری از فاریاب رسیدیم در خاک مغرب به آب مرا یک درم بود برداشتند به کشتی و درویش بگذاشتند |
| Fast as smoke was the boat by the wicked crew rowed, For the Master no fear of the “Great Master n showed. I wept at thus having my friend to forsake. At my weeping he heartily laughed and, thus, spake: | سیاهان براندند کشتی چو دود که آن ناخدا ناخدا ترس بود مرا گریه آمد ز تیمار جفت بر آن گریه قهقه بخندید و گفت |
| “Oh wise one! let sorrow for me be remote! He will carry me over Who carries the boat “! His carpet he spread on the face of the stream; Was it merely a fancy, or was it a dream? | مخور غم برای من ای پر خرد مرا آن کس آرد که کشتی برد بگسترد سجاده بر روی آب خیال است پنداشتم یا به خواب |
| On account of amazement, I slept not that night; He viewed me and said — at the first dawn of light — | ز مدهوشیم دیده آن شب نخفت نگه بامدادان به من کرد و گفت |
| “You wondered ! oh comrade, of fortunate thought! The boat carried you and by God I was brought”! People chained to the world do not credit this talk, That the holy through fire and through water can walk. | عجب ماندی ای یار فرخنده رای؟ تو را کشتی آورد و ما را خدای چرا اهل دعوی بدین نگروند که ابدال در آب و آتش روند؟ |
| The child, of the mischief of fire unaware, The mother protects with the greatest of care. Hence, know, that the people in ecstasy drown’d, In the eyes of the Lord special favour have found! | نه طفلی کز آتش ندارد خبر نگه داردش مادر مهرور؟ پس آنان که در وجد مستغرقند شب و روز در عین حفظ حقند |
| He watches the ” friend ” in the fierce burning pile! What of Moses’ small ark being sunk in the Nile? When a youth has escaped who is able to swim, The Tigris though broad has no terror for him. | نگه دارد از تاب آتش خلیل چو تابوت موسی ز غرقاب نیل چو کودک به دست شناور برست نترسد وگر دجله پهناورست |
| When will you step out on the face of the sea? You’re like men on the land, as defiled as can be. | تو بر روی دریا قدم چون زنی چو مردان که بر خشک تردامنی؟ |
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by: Reza about (category: Bustan Saadi)
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