The Reason for Composing the Book سبب نظم کتاب
The Reason for Composing the Book (سبب نظم کتاب) is from the Introduction 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
| Very much I have travelled in many a clime; And with many a person have utilized time. From many a corner I pleasure have gained; And from many a harvest have corn-ears obtained. | در اقصای گیتی بگشتم بسی بسر بردم ایام با هر کسی تمتع به هر گوشه‌ای یافتم ز هر خرمنی خوشه‌ای یافتم |
| Like the pure of Shiraz with humility crowned, I have never seen one, mercy be on that ground! My love for the men of this sanctified part, From Syria and Rum made me sever my heart. | چو پاکان شیراز، خاکی نهاد ندیدم که رحمت بر این خاک باد تولای مردان این پاک بوم برانگیختم خاطر از شام و روم |
| I regretted, from all of those gardens so fair, To my friends empty-handed again to repair. I said to myself that from Egypt they bear Sugar-candy to friends, as an offering rare. | دریغ آمدم زان همه بوستان تهیدست رفتن سوی دوستان بدل گفتم از مصر قند آورند بر دوستان ارمغانی برند |
| If none of that candy I brought in my hand, Words sweeter than candy are mine to command. Not like candy in form, that for eating may serve, But such as the thoughtful on paper preserve. | مرا گر تهی بود از آن قند دست سخنهای شیرین‌تر از قند هست نه قندی که مردم بصورت خورند که ارباب معنی به کاغذ برند |
| When this palace of wealth I designed and arrayed. Ten doors for the sake of instruction I made. First, a chapter with justice and counsels is stored; Taking care of the people and serving the Lord. | چو این کاخ دولت بپرداختم بر او ده در از تربیت ساختم یکی باب عدل است و تدبیر و رای نگهبانی خلق و ترس خدای |
| In the Second, I’ve laid generosity’s base; For he who is good for God’s favours gives praise. The Third is on love and on rapture of mind; Not the love to which profligate men are inclined. | دوم باب احسان نهادم اساس که منعم کند فضل حق را سپاس سوم باب عشق است و مستی و شور نه عشقی که بندند بر خود بزور |
| Humility, Fourth. Resignation, the Fifth. On those choosing contentment is chapter the Sixth. The Seventh is a chapter on discipline’s sphere; And the Eighth will to thanking for welfare adhere. | چهارم تواضع، رضا پنجمین ششم ذکر مرد قناعت گزین به هفتم در از عالم تربیت به هشتم در از شکر بر عافیت |
| Repentance and probity’s path, the Ninth shows; And the Tenth brings to pray’rs, and the book to a close. In a prosperous year, on a fortunate day, And felicitous date that between two Eeds lay; | نهم باب توبه است و راه صواب دهم در مناجات و ختم کتاب به روز همایون و سال سعید به تاریخ فرخ میان دو عید |
| When Six Hundred and Fifty and Five years had flown, Replete with rare pearls was this treasure, well known. | ز ششصد فزون بود پنجاه و پنج که پر در شد این نامبردار گنج |
| بمانده‌ست با دامنی گوهرم هنوز از خجالت سر اندر برم که در بحر لؤلؤ صدف نیز هست درخت بلندست در باغ و پست | |
| Oh, wise One of affable nature, beware I’ve not heard that the cultured for fault-finding care. | الا ای هنرمند پاکیزه خوی هنرمند نشنیده‌ام عیب جوی |
| Is a cloak Pdrnian? or plain silk? you will find That, of course, with a padding of cotton ’tis lined. Are you Parnian? then, to harm show not zeal! Be gracious, and all my coarse padding conceal! | قبا گر حریرست و گر پرنیان بناچار حشوش بود در میان تو گر پرنیانی نیابی مجوش کرم کار فرمای و حشوم بپوش |
| I do not presume on my own virtue’s store; As a beggar, I come with my hands stretched before. I have heard: “On the day full of hope and of fear, To the bad and the good God in mercy is near.” | ننازم به سرمایه فضل خویش به دریوزه آورده‌ام دست پیش شنیدم که در روز امید و بیم بدان را به نیکان ببخشد کریم |
| In my writings should you see depravity, too; By the people God made ! then, expose it to view! If in one thousand couplets, of one you approve, By manhood ! in taunting, a hand do not move! | تو نیز ار بدی بینیم در سخن به خلق جهان آفرین کار کن چو بیتی پسند آیدت از هزار به مردی که دست از تعنت بدار |
| In Persia, my writings are, doubtless, thought nice; As musk is in Cathay esteemed beyond price. Like the noise of a drum, from afar was my fright; In my heart, all my errors lay hidden from sight. | همانا که در پارس انشای من چو مشک است کم قیمت اندر ختن چو بانگ دهل هولم از دور بود به غیبت درم عیب مستور بود |
| To the garden brought Sadi, with boldness, a rose, As they do spice to India, where spice freely grows. They resemble the date with a sweet crusted skin, Which when opened to view, has a hard stone within. | گل آورد سعدی سوی بوستان بشوخی و فلفل به هندوستان چو خرما به شیرینی اندوده پوست چو بازش کنی استخوانی در اوست |
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by: Reza about (category: Bustan Saadi)
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