How, after they had stayed in hiding and tarried patiently for a long while in the capital of China, where the Emperor was enthroned, the eldest (brother) lost patience and said, “Farewell! I will go and present myself to the King. Either my feet will bring me to the object of my quest, or I will lose my head there as (I have already lost) my heart” (The Persian translation of this Arabic verse is): “Either my feet will bring me to the object of my quest and desire, or I will give away my head there as (I have given away) my heart”— and how the good advice of his brothers was of no avail. “O thou that chidest those in love, let them alone! How shouldst thou direct a band which God has led astray?” And so forth. بعد مکث ایشان متواری در بلاد چین در شهر تختگاه و بعد دراز شدن صبر بیصبر شدن آن بزرگین کی من رفتم الوداع خود را بر شاه عرضه کنم اما قدمی تنیلنی مقصودی او القی راسی کفادی ثم یا پای رساندم به مقصود و مراد یا سر بنهم همچو دل از دست آنجا و نصیحت برادران او را سود ناداشتن یا عاذل العاشقین دع فة اضلها الله کیف ترشدها الی آخره
آن بزرگین گفت ای اخوان من ز انتظار آمد به لب این جان من
The eldest (brother) said, “O my brethren, from waiting (so long) this soul of mine is on the verge (of leaving my body).
لا ابالی گشتهام صبرم نماند مر مرا این صبر در آتش نشاند
I have become reckless, I can endure no more: this endurance has set me on fire.
طاقت من زین صبوری طاق شد راقعهی من عبرت عشاق شد
My strength is exhausted by this fortitude: my plight is a warning to (all) lovers.
من ز جان سیر آمدم اندر فراق زنده بودن در فراق آمد نفاق
I am weary of my life in separation (from the beloved): ’tis hypocrisy to be alive in separation.
چند درد فرقتش بکشد مرا سر ببر تا عشق سر بخشد مرا
How long will the anguish of separation from her be killing me? Cut off my head, in order that Love may give me a (new) head.
دین من از عشق زنده بودنست زندگی زین جان و سر ننگ منست
My religion is, to be (kept) alive by Love: life (derived) from this (animal) soul and head is a disgrace to me.
تیغ هست از جان عاشق گردروب زانک سیف افتاد محاء الذنوب
The sword (of Love) sweeps the dust away from the lover’s soul, because the sword is a wiper-out of sins.
چون غبار تن بشد ماهم بتافت ماه جان من هوای صاف یافت
When the bodily dust is gone, my moon shines: my spirit’s moon finds a clear sky.
عمرها بر طبل عشقت ای صنم ان فی متی حیاتی میزنم
For ages, O adored one, I have been beating the drum of love for thee (to the tune of) ‘Lo, my life depends on my dying.’
دعوی مرغابی کردست جان کی ز طوفان بلا دارد فغان
My spirit has boasted that it is a water-bird: how should it lament the flood of tribulation?
بط را ز اشکستن کشتی چه غم کشتیاش بر آب بس باشد قدم
What cares the duck for shipwreck? Her feet in the water are ship enough.
زنده زین دعوی بود جان و تنم من ازین دعوی چگونه تن زنم
My soul and body are (kept) alive by this boast: how should I refrain from making this boast?
خواب میبینم ولی در خواب نه مدعی هستم ولی کذاب نه
I am dreaming but I am not asleep; I am a boaster but I am not a liar.
گر مرا صد بار تو گردن زنی همچو شمعم بر فروزم روشنی
Though you behead me a hundred times, I am like a candle: I will burn brightly (still).
آتش ار خرمن بگیرد پیش و پس شبروان را خرمن آن ماه بس
Though the stack-yard (of my existence) catch fire (both) in front and behind, the stack (halo) of that Moon is enough for travellers in the night.
کرده یوسف را نهان و مختبی حیلت اخوان ز یعقوب نبی
Joseph was hidden and concealed from Jacob the prophet by the trickery of his brethren.
خفیه کردندش به حیلتسازیی کرد آخر پیرهن غمازیی
They put him out of sight by an artifice, (but) at last his shirt gave an information.”
آن دو گفتندش نصیحت در سمر که مکن ز اخطار خود را بیخبر
The two (brothers of the eldest prince) admonished him in converse, saying, “Do not ignore the dangers.
هین منه بر ریشهای ما نمک هین مخور این زهر بر جلدی و شک
Hark, do not put salt on our wounds! Beware, do not drink this poison rashly and in doubt (of the consequences).
جز به تدبیر یکی شیخی خبیر چون روی چون نبودت قلبی بصیر
How canst thou go without being counselled by a wise Shaykh, since thou hast not a discerning heart?
وای آن مرغی که ناروییده پر بر پرد بر اوج و افتد در خطر
Woe to the unfledged bird that flies up to the zenith and falls into peril!”
عقل باشد مرد را بال و پری چون ندارد عقل عقل رهبری
Intelligence is wings and feathers to a man: when he lacks intelligence, (he must rely on) the intelligence of a guide.
یا مظفر یا مظفرجوی باش یا نظرور یا نظرورجوی باش
Either be victorious or in search of a victor: either have insight or be in search of one endowed with insight.
بی ز مفتاح خرد این قرع باب از هوا باشد نه از روی صواب
Without (possession of) the key, namely, intelligence, this knocking at the door is prompted by self-will, not by right motives.
عالمی در دام میبین از هوا وز جراحتهای همرنگ دوا
See a whole world ensnared by self-will and by wounds (harmful things) that look like remedies (beneficial things).
مار استادست بر سینه چو مرگ در دهانش بهر صید اشگرف برگ
The snake, (terrible) as death, stands (raises itself) on its breast, with a big leaf in its mouth in order to catch its prey.
در حشایش چون حشیشی او بپاست مرغ پندارد که او شاخ گیاست
It stands erect, like a herb, amidst the herbage, (so that) the bird thinks it is the stalk of a plant.
چون نشیند بهر خور بر روی برگ در فتد اندر دهان مار و مرگ
When it (the bird) settles on the leaf for the purpose of eating, it falls into the mouth of the snake and (into the jaws of) death.
کرده تمساحی دهان خویش باز گرد دندانهاش کرمان دراز
A crocodile opens its mouth: its teeth are surrounded by long worms.
از بقیهی خور که در دندانش ماند کرمها رویید و بر دندان نشاند
The worms were produced by the residue of food left in its teeth; and it gave them lodging there.
مرغکان بینند کرم و قوت را مرج پندارند آن تابوت را
The little birds see the worms and the food and imagine that coffin to be a meadow.
چون دهان پر شد ز مرغ او ناگهان در کشدشان و فرو بندد دهان
When its mouth is filled with birds, it suddenly swallows them and closes its mouth (again).
این جهان پر ز نقل و پر ز نان چون دهان باز آن تمساح دان
Know that this world full of dessert (viands) and bread is like the open mouth of the crocodile.
بهر کرم و طعمه ای روزیتراش از فن تمساح دهر آمن مباش
O thou who scrapest together the means of livelihood, (in thy desire) for worms and morsels do not feel secure from the artfulness of the crocodile, (which is) Time.
روبه افتد پهن اندر زیر خاک بر سر خاکش حبوب مکرناک
A fox falls (and lies) flat under his earth: above his earth are deceptive grains,
تا بیاید زاغ غافل سوی آن پای او گیرد به مکر آن مکردان
In order that the heedless crow may approach them and the crafty one cunningly seize her by the leg.
صدهزاران مکر در حیوان چو هست چون بود مکر بشر کو مهترست
Since there are a hundred thousand cunning tricks in animals, how (great) must be the cunning of Man who is superior (to all other animals)!
مصحفی در کف چو زینالعابدین خنجری پر قهر اندر آستین
In his hand (he carries) a copy of the Holy Book as (though he were) Zaynu ’l- ‘Ábidín; (but) in his sleeve a vengeful dagger.
گویدت خندان کای مولای من در دل او بابلی پر سحر و فن
He addresses thee smilingly “O my lord,” (while) in his heart there is a Babylon of sorcery and guileful spells.
زهر قاتل صورتش شهدست و شیر هین مرو بیصحبت پیر خبیر
(He is) deadly poison, (though) in appearance he is honey and milk. Beware, do not go (on thy way) save in company with a wise (spiritual) preceptor.
جمله لذات هوا مکرست و زرق سوز و تاریکیست گرد نور برق
All selfish pleasures are a deceit and fraud: round the lightning-flash is a wall of darkness.
برق نور کوته و کذب و مجاز گرد او ظلمات و راه تو دراز
The lightning is (but) a brief gleam, false and fleeting, surrounded by darkness; and thy way is long.
نه به نورش نامه توانی خواندن نه به منزل اسپ دانی راندن
By its light thou canst neither read a letter nor ride to thy destination.
لیک جرم آنک باشی رهن برق از تو رو اندر کشد انوار شرق
But, as a penalty for thy being enthralled by the lightning, the beams of sunrise withdraw themselves from thee.
میکشاند مکر برقت بیدلیل در مفازهی مظلمی شب میل میل
Mile after mile through the night the lightning’s deception leads thee on, without a guide, in a dark wilderness.
بر که افتی گاه و در جوی اوفتی گه بدین سو گه بدان سوی اوفتی
Now thou fallest on a mountain, now into a river; now thou wanderest in this direction, now in that.
خود نبینی تو دلیل ای جاهجو ور ببینی رو بگردانی ازو
O seeker of worldly estate, thou wilt never find the guide; and if thou find him, thou wilt avert thy face from him,
که سفر کردم درین ره شصت میل مر مرا گمراه گوید این دلیل
Saying, “I have travelled sixty miles on this road, and (now) this guide tells me I have lost my way.
گر نهم من گوش سوی این شگفت ز امر او راهم ز سر باید گرفت
If I give ear to this marvel, I must begin my journey again under his authority.
من درین ره عمر خود کردم گرو هرچه بادا باد ای خواجه برو
I have devoted my life to this journey: (I will pursue it) come what may. Begone, O Khwája!”
راه کردی لیک در ظن چو برق عشر آن ره کن پی وحی چو شرق
“(Yes), thou hast journeyed (far), but (only) in opinion (unsubstantial) as lightning: (come), make a tenth part of that journey for the sake of (Divine) inspiration (glorious) as the sunrise.
ظن لایغنی من الحق خواندهای وز چنان برقی ز شرقی ماندهای
Thou hast read (the Verse), Opinion cannot serve instead of truth, and (yet) by a lightning-flash like that thou hast been blinded to a rising sun.
هی در آ در کشتی ما ای نژند یا تو آن کشتی برین کشتی ببند
Hark, come into our boat, O wretched man, or (at least) tie that boat (of thine) to this boat (of ours).”
گوید او چون ترک گیرم گیر و دار چون روم من در طفیلت کوروار
He replies, “How should I abandon power and dominion? How should I follow thee blindly?”
کور با رهبر به از تنها یقین زان یکی ننگست و صد ننگست ازین
A blind man is certainly better off with a guide than (when he goes) alone: in the former case there is (only) one ignominy, while in the latter there are a hundred.
میگریزی از پشه در کزدمی میگریزی در یمی تو از نمی
Thou art fleeing from a gnat to a scorpion, thou art fleeing from a dewdrop into an ocean.
میگریزی از جفاهای پدر در میان لوطیان و شور و شر
Thou art fleeing from thy father’s unkindnesses into the midst of scoundrels and mischief and trouble.
میگریزی همچو یوسف ز اندهی تا ز نرتع نلعب افتی در چهی
Like Joseph, thou art fleeing from one sorrow to fall into a well (of woe) through (being beguiled by) “let us frolic and play.”
در چه افتی زین تفرج همچو او مر ترا لیک آن عنایت یار کو
Because of this pastime thou fallest into a well, like him; but where is the (Divine) favour to help thee (as it helped him)?
گر نبودی آن به دستوری پدر برنیاوردی ز چه تا حشر سر
Had it not been (done) by his father’s leave, he would never have emerged from the well till the Resurrection;
آن پدر بهر دل او اذن داد گفت چون اینست میلت خیر باد
(But) in order to please him his father gave the permission and said, “Since this is thy desire, may good come (of it)!”
هر ضریری کز مسیحی سر کشد او جهودانه بماند از رشد
Any blind man who turns away in scorn from a Messiah will be left, like the Jews, without guidance;
قابل ضو بود اگر چه کور بود شد ازین اعراض او کور و کبود
(For) though he was blind, he was capable of receiving light; (but) from showing this aversion he becomes blind and blue (miserably lost).
گویدش عیسی بزن در من دو دست ای عمی کحل عزیزی با منست
Jesus says to him, “O blind man, cling to me with both hands: I have a precious collyrium.
از من ار کوری بیابی روشنی بر قمیص یوسف جان بر زنی
If thou art blind, thou wilt obtain light from me and lay hold of the (sweet-scented) Joseph’s shirt of the spirit.”
کار و باری کت رسد بعد شکست اندر آن اقبال و منهاج رهست
The (real) fortune and highway (of success) lies in the business that comes to thee after utter defeat (self-abasement).
کار و باری که ندارد پا و سر ترک کن هی پیر خر ای پیر خر
Give up the business that hath no foot or head (permanence): hark, old donkey, get for thyself a Pír!
غیر پیر استاد و سرلشکر مباد پیر گردون نی ولی پیر رشاد
May none but the Pír be (thy) master and captain! not the Pír (old man) of the rolling sky, but the Pír of right guidance.
در زمان چون پیر را شد زیردست روشنایی دید آن ظلمتپرست
The devotee of darkness sees the light immediately as soon as he becomes subject to (the authority of) the Pír.
شرط تسلیم است نه کار دراز سود نبود در ضلالت ترکتاز
What is required is self-surrender, not long toil: ’tis useless to rush about in error.
من نجویم زین سپس راه اثیر پیر جویم پیر جویم پیر پیر
Henceforth I will not seek the way to the Ether (the highest celestial sphere): I will seek the Pír, I will seek the Pír, the Pír, the Pír!
پیر باشد نردبان آسمان تیر پران از که گردد از کمان
The Pír is the ladder to Heaven: by whom (what) is the arrow made to fly? By the bow.
نه ز ابراهیم نمرود گران کرد با کرکس سفر بر آسمان
Was it not Abraham that caused the gross Nimrod to (attempt the) journey to heaven by means of the vulture?
از هوا شد سوی بالا او بسی لیک بر گردون نپرد کرکسی
(Impelled) by self-will, he often went upward; but no vulture can fly to heaven.
گفتش ابراهیم ای مرد سفر کرکست من باشم اینت خوبتر
Abraham said to him, “O traveller, I will be thy vulture: this is more seemly for thee.
چون ز من سازی به بالا نردبان بی پریدن بر روی بر آسمان
When thou makest of me a ladder to go aloft, thou wilt ascend to heaven without flying”
آنچنان که میرود تا غرب و شرق بی ز زاد و راحله دل همچو برق
As the heart (spirit), without provisions or riding-camel, travels (swiftly) as lightning to west and east;
آنچنان که میرود شب ز اغتراب حس مردم شهرها در وقت خواب
As man’s consciousness, wandering abroad whilst he is asleep, travels during the night to (remote) cities;
آنچنان که عارف از راه نهان خوش نشسته میرود در صد جهان
As the gnostic, sitting quietly (in one place), travels by a hidden track through a hundred worlds.
گر ندادستش چنین رفتار دست این خبرها زان ولایت از کیست
If he has not been endowed with power to travel like this, (then) from whom are (derived) these reports concerning that (spiritual) country?
این خبرها وین روایات محق صد هزاران پیر بر وی متفق
Hundreds of thousands of Pírs are agreed upon (the truth of) these reports and these veracious narratives.
یک خلافی نی میان این عیون آنچنان که هست در علم ظنون
Amongst these sources (authorities) there is no dispute, such as there is in (the case of) knowledge based on opinions.
آن تحری آمد اندر لیل تار وین حضور کعبه و وسط نهار
That (knowledge based on opinion) is (like) searching (for the direction of the Ka‘ba) in the dark night, while this (mystic knowledge) is (like) the presence of the Ka‘ba and midday.
خیز ای نمرود پر جوی از کسان نردبانی نایدت زین کرکسان
Arise, O (thou who resemblest) Nimrod, and seek wings from (holy) personages: thou wilt not get any ladder from these vultures.
عقل جزوی کرکس آمد ای مقل پر او با جیفهخواری متصل
The vulture is the particular (discursive) reason, O poor (-spirited) one: its wings are connected with the eating of carrion;
عقل ابدالان چو پر جبرئیل میپرد تا ظل سدره میل میل
(But) the reason of the Abdál (exalted saints) is like the wings of Gabriel: it soars, mile by mile, up to the shade of the lote-tree (in Paradise).
باز سلطانم گشم نیکوپیم فارغ از مردارم و کرکس نیم
(It says), “I am a royal falcon, I am fair and auspicious, I have nothing to do with carrion: I am not a vulture.
ترک کرکس کن که من باشم کست یک پر من بهتر از صد کرکست
Abandon the vulture, for I will be thy helper: a wing of mine is better for thee than a hundred vultures.”
چند بر عمیا دوانی اسپ را باید استا پیشه را و کسپ را
How long wilt thou gallop blindly? For (learning) a trade and business one needs a master.
خویشتن رسوا مکن در شهر چین عاقلی جو خویش از وی در مچین
Do not disgrace thyself in the capital of China: seek a sage and do not separate thyself from him.
آن چه گوید آن فلاطون زمان هین هوا بگار و رو بر وفق آن
Hark, whatever the Plato of the age bids thee do, give up thy self-will and act in accordance with that (counsel).
جمله میگویند اندر چین به جد بهر شاه خویشتن که لم یلد
All (who dwell) in China are saying in zeal for (the glory of) their King, “He begetteth not.
شاه ما خود هیچ فرزندی نزاد بلک سوی خویش زن را ره نداد
Never in sooth has our King begotten a child; nay, he has not allowed a woman to approach him.”
هر که از شاهان ازین نوعش بگفت گردنش با تیغ بران کرد جفت
When any king says of him something of this sort, he weds his (traducer’s) neck to the cutting scimitar.
شاه گوید چونک گفتی این مقال یا بکن ثابت که دارم من عیال
The King says (to such an one), “Since thou hast spoken these words, either prove that I have a wife and family.
مر مرا دختر اگر ثابت کنی یافتی از تیغ تیزم آمنی
And if thou prove that I have a daughter, thou art safe from my keen sword.
ورنه بیشک من ببرم حلق تو ای بگفته لاف کذب آمیغ تو
Or else without any doubt I will cut thy throat: I will tear the mantle (thy body) off the Súfí, thy spirit.
بنگر ای از جهل گفته ناحقی پر ز سرهای بریده خندقی
O thou that hast foolishly spoken an untruth, behold a moat full of severed heads!
خندقی از قعر خندق تا گلو پر ز سرهای بریده زین غلو
A moat filled from its bottom to its mouth with heads severed on account of this enormity.
جمله اندر کار این دعوی شدند گردن خود را بدین دعوی زدند
All have been sacrificed to this (false) assertion: they have beheaded themselves with this assertion.
هان ببین این را به چشم اعتبار این چنین دعوی میندیش و میار
Beware! Regard this with a heedful eye: do not conceive or utter such an assertion!”
تلخ خواهی کرد بر ما عمر ما کی برین میدارد ای دادر ترا
(The two princes said), “Thou wilt make our lives bitter to us: who is inducing thee to (act like) this, O brother?
گر رود صد سال آنک آگاه نیست بر عما آن از حساب راه نیست
If one who is ignorant should journey a hundred years in blindness, that is not reckoned as a journey.
بیسلاحی در مرو در معرکه همچو بیباکان مرو در تهلکه
Do not go into battle unarmed, do not go recklessly into destruction.”
این همه گفتند و گفت آن ناصبور که مرا زین گفتهها آید نفور
They said all this (to him), but the impatient (prince) replied, “These words (of warning) inspire me with repugnance.
سینه پر آتش مرا چون منقل است کشت کامل گشت وقت منجل است
My bosom is full of fire, like a brazier: the crop is ripe, ’tis time for the sickle.
صدر را صبری بد اکنون آن نماد بر مقام صبر عشق آتش نشاند
There was a (great) fortitude in my breast, (but) now it is no more: Love has set fire to the dwelling-place of fortitude.
صبر من مرد آن شبی که عشق زاد درگذشت او حاضران را عمر باد
My fortitude died on the night when Love was born: it has passed away—long live those who are present!
ای محدث از خطاب و از خطوب زان گذشتم آهن سردی مکوب
O thou that tellest (me) of (a stern) rebuke (from the King) and (terrible) punishments, I have passed beyond (all) that: do not beat a piece of cold iron!
سرنگونم هی رها کن پای من فهم کو در جملهی اجزای من
I am (rushing) headlong: hey, let go my feet! Where in all my limbs is (any) understanding?
اشترم من تا توانم میکشم چون فتادم زار با کشتن خوشم
I am (like) a camel: I carry (my load) as long as I can, (but) when I fall down exhausted, I am glad to be killed.
پر سر مقطوع اگر صد خندق است پیش درد من مزاج مطلق است
If there are a hundred moats full of severed heads, ’tis an absolute pleasantry in comparison with my anguish.
من نخواهم زد دگر از خوف و بیم این چنین طبل هوا زیر گلیم
Nevermore in fear and dread will I beat such a drum of passion under a blanket.
من علم اکنون به صحرا میزنم یا سراندازی و یا روی صنم
Now I will plant my banner in the open plain: (let my fate be) either to lose my head or (to behold) the face of my adored one!
حلق کو نبود سزای آن شراب آن بریده به به شمشیر و ضراب
The throat that is not worthy of that wine ’tis best it should be cut by blows of the sword;
دیده کو نبود ز وصلش در فره آن چنان دیده سپید کور به
The eye that is not (rejoiced) in abundance by union with her such an eye is best white (with disease) and blind;
گوش کان نبود سزای راز او بر کنش که نبود آن بر سر نکو
The ear that is not worthy of (hearing) her secret tear it off, for it is no good on the head;
اندر آن دستی که نبود آن نصاب آن شکسته به به ساطور قصاب
The hand in which there is not the (requisite) amount (to win her favour) ’tis best that it should be chopped off by the butcher’s knife;
آنچنان پایی که از رفتار او جان نپیوندد به نرگس زار او
The foot by whose faring the spirit is not led into her narcissus-plot
آنچنان پا در حدید اولیترست که آنچنان پا عاقبت درد سرست
Such a foot is best in iron (chains), for such a foot is ultimately (the cause of) headache (affliction).
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by: Reza about (category: Masnavi, Persian Poetry)
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