Story ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF EVIL-DOING حکایت سفر حبشه
Story on the Consequences of Evil-doing (حکایت سفر حبشه) is from Chapter IX, On Penitence (در توبه و راه صواب) 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
| As a stranger, at Habsh I arrived, on my way, With my heart free from pain and my joyous head gay. By the side of the road I beheld a high mound, And on it some men who with fetters were bound; | غریب آمدم در سواد حبش دل از دهر فارغ سر از عیش خوش به ره بر یکی دکه دیدم بلند تنی چند مسکین بر او پای بند |
| I instantly made preparations to fly; Like a bird from its cage, to the desert I hie. Some one said to me, “These are night-robbers, forsooth Who will neither take counsel nor listen to truth.” | بسیچ سفر کردم اندر نفس بیابان گرفتم چو مرغ از قفس یکی گفت کاین بندیان شب روند نصیحت نگیرند و حق نشنوند |
| If a man has not been by your actions oppressed, Should the world’s guardian seize on you, don’t be dis tressed! A good man, as a prisoner, none has confined! Be afraid of the Lord ! the Ameer do not mind! | چو بر کس نیامد ز دستت ستم تو را گر جهان شحنه گیرد چه غم؟ نیاورده عامل غش اندر میان نیندیشد از رفع دیوانیان |
| If an agent has been in his dealings correct, He feels not alarmed when by auditors checked. And if under his honesty cheating should lie, His tongue in explaining accounts will be shy. | وگر عفتت را فریب است زیر زبان حسابت نگردد دلیر نکونام را کس نگیرد اسیر بترس از خدای و مترس از امیر |
| When a laudable service I’m able to show, I am free from concern for the dark-minded foe. Should a slave be industrious, and humble appear, His master will certainly reckon him dear. | چو خدمت پسندیده آرم بجای نیندیشم از دشمن تیره رای اگر بنده کوشش کند بندهوار عزیزش بدار خداوندگار |
| And if, while at work, he should laziness show, From a man to a load-bearing ass he will go. | وگر کند رای است در بندگی ز جان داری افتد به خربندگی |
| Advance, that in rank you may angels surpass! If you tarry behind, you are worse than an ass. | قدم پیش نه کز ملک بگذری که گر بازمانی ز دد کمتری |
Special Offers
← Previous storyAll Bustan storiesNext story →
More Saadi and Persian poetry: Persian poetry, the Persian poetry quiz and Persian proverbs.
Take this lesson further
Serious about Persian? Get all 30 of our Persian learning books for $199.99 (55% less than buying them one by one).
Free Persian Starter Kit (PDF)
The Persian alphabet chart and the 101 most common Persian words with pronunciation, in one printable PDF. You also get a one-time 15% code for any of our books.
We will email you new lessons and book news from Learn Persian Online. Unsubscribe any time.Love Persian poetry? Learn to read it: free Starter Pack
Get the 14-page printable Starter Pack (all 32 letters, a 7-day reading plan, 100 core words and 20 survival phrases) and a short 5-email course. Free.
by: Reza about (category: Bustan Saadi)
Reza is an experienced Persian instructor who has been tutoring students since 2008. He is the founder of Learn Persian Online, a tutoring company that has helped many students learn Persian, this beautiful language. He works with students individually and in group settings, he tutors both live and online Persian courses. Reza provides an individualized custom learning plan and the personalized attention that makes a difference in how people view Persian learning process.
What people say about "Story ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF EVIL-DOING حکایت سفر حبشه"?
No one replied yet.