Beaten by the Night-Patrol in Cairo
From Rumi’s Masnavi (مثنوی معنوی), Book 6, section 120 of 137: How that person arrived at Cairo and at night came out into the street to play the mendicant and beg (رسیدن آن شخص به مصر و شب بیرون آمدن به کوی از بهر شبکوکی و گدایی و گرفتن عسس او را و مراد). Below, each of its 19 couplets is given in Persian, followed by R. A. Nicholson’s English translation.
How that person arrived at Cairo and at night came out into the street to play the mendicant and beg, and how he was arrested by the night-patrol and after having been soundly beaten succeeded through him in gaining his object. “And it may be that ye loathe a thing though it is better for you”; and as God most High hath (also) said, “God will surely vouchsafe after hardship ease”; and as God most High hath said, “Lo, with hardship goeth ease”; and as he (the Prophet), on whom be peace, hath said, “O year of drought, become severe, and then thou wilt pass away.” And the whole of the Qur’án and all the Revealed Books confirm this. رسیدن آن شخص به مصر و شب بیرون آمدن به کوی از بهر شبکوکی و گدایی و گرفتن عسس او را و مراد اوحاصل شدن از عسس بعد از خوردن زخم بسیار و عسی ان تکرهوا شیا و هو خیر لکم و قوله تعالی سیجعل الله بعد عسر یسرا و قوله علیه‌السلام اشتدی ازمة تنفرجی و جمیع القرآن و الکتب المنزلة فی تقریر هذا
ناگهانی خود عسس او را گرفت مشت و چوبش زد ز صفرا تا شکفت
Suddenly the night-patrol seized him and, unable to restrain his anger, beat him with fist and cudgel.
اتفاقا اندر آن شب‌های تار دیده بد مردم ز شب‌دزدان ضرار
As it happened, the people (of the city) had suffered losses in those dark nights from (the depredations of) night-thieves.
بود شب‌های مخوف و منتحس پس به جد می‌جست دزدان را عسس
They were nights of alarm and disaster, and the police were searching for the thieves with all their might,
تا خلیفه گفت که ببرید دست هر که شب گردد وگر خویش منست
(So much so) that the Khalífa said, “Cut off the hand of any one who roams about by night, even if he is a kinsman of mine.”
بر عسس کرده ملک تهدید و بیم که چرا باشید بر دزدان رحیم
The king had terrified the police with threats, saying, “Why are you (so) merciful to the thieves-?
عشوه‌شان را از چه رو باور کنید یا چرا زیشان قبول زر کنید
For what reason do you believe their blarney or why do you accept gold (bribes) from them?”
رحم بر دزدان و هر منحوس‌دست بر ضعیفان ضربت و بی‌رحمیست
To show mercy to thieves and any sinister-handed (noxious) person is to inflict blows and have no mercy on the weak.
هین ز رنج خاص مسکل ز انتقام رنج او کم بین ببین تو رنج عام
Beware, from sympathy with a particular (offender) do not let him go unpunished: do not consider his sufferings, consider the sufferings of the public.
اصبع ملدوغ بر در دفع شر در تعدی و هلاک تن نگر
Amputate the snake-bitten finger to prevent (worse) mischief: keep in view the infection and (consequent) destruction of the (whole) body.
اتفاقا اندر آن ایام دزد گشته بود انبوه پخته و خام دزد
In those days, as it happened, the thieves, both expert and unskilled, had become numerous.
در چنین وقتش بدید و سخت زد چوب‌ها و زخمهای بی‌عدد
He (the night-patrol) saw him (in the street) at such a time and gave him a sound drubbing and blows without number.
نعره و فریاد زان درویش خاست که مزن تا من بگویم حال راست
Shrieks and cries for mercy arose from the poor wretch: “Don’t strike! let me tell the truth about it all!”
گفت اینک دادمت مهلت بگو تا به شب چون آمدی بیرون به کو
He replied, “Look now, I will give you time: speak, that I may learn how you came out into the streets by night.
تو نه‌ای زینجا غریب و منکری راستی گو تا بچه مکر اندری
You do not belong to this place, you are a stranger and unknown (to me): tell me truly what you are plotting (here).
اهل دیوان بر عسس طعنه زدند که چرا دزدان کنون انبه شدند
The government officials have attacked the police, asking why there is now such a great number of thieves (in the city).
انبهی از تست و از امثال تست وا نما یاران زشتت را نخست
It is owing to you and the likes of you that they are so numerous: first disclose (the names of) your wicked associates;
ورنه کین جمله را از تو کشم تا شود آمن زر هر محتشم
Otherwise I will exact from you the vengeance incurred by all of them, in order that every respectable person’s money may be safe.”
گفت او از بعد سوگندان پر که نیم من خانه‌سوز و کیسه‌بر
After taking many oaths he replied, “I am not a housebreaker or cutpurse.
من نه مرد دزدی و بیدادیم من غریب مصرم و بغدادیم
I am no thief and criminal: I am a stranger in Cairo, I belong to Baghdád.”
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by: Reza about (category: Masnavi, Persian Poetry)
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