The Cock Shamed Before the Dog
From Rumi’s Masnavi (مثنوی معنوی), Book 3, section 151 of 185: How the cock became abashed before the dog on account of being false in those three promises (خجل گشتن خروس پیش سگ به سبب دروغ شدن در آن سه وعده). Below, each of its 14 couplets is given in Persian, followed by R. A. Nicholson’s English translation.
How the cock became abashed before the dog on account of being false in those three promises. خجل گشتن خروس پیش سگ به سبب دروغ شدن در آن سه وعده
چند چند آخر دروغ و مکر تو خود نپرد جز دروغ از وکر تو
How long, pray, how long (will) your falsehood and deceit (continue)? Truly, nothing but falsehood flies out of your nest.”
گفت حاشا از من و از جنس من که بگردیم از دروغی ممتحن
He said, “Far be it from me and from my kind that we should become afflicted with falsehood.
ما خروسان چون مذن راست‌گوی هم رقیب آفتاب و وقت‌جوی
We cocks are veracious like the muezzin: we are observers of the sun as well as seekers of the (right) time.
پاسبان آفتابیم از درون گر کنی بالای ما طشتی نگون
We are watchers of the sun inwardly, though you may turn a basin upside down over us.”
پاسبان آفتابند اولیا در بشر واقف ز اسرار خدا
The watchers of the Sun (of Reality) are the saints: in the flesh (they are) acquainted with the Divine mysteries.
اصل ما را حق پی بانگ نماز داد هدیه آدمی را در جهاز
“God gave our family as a gift to Man to call (him) to the ritual prayer (and) in preparation (for that purpose).
گر بناهنگام سهوی‌مان رود در اذان آن مقتل ما می‌شود
If a mistake be committed by us in (giving) the call to prayer at the wrong time, it will become the cause of our being killed.
گفت ناهنگام حی عل فلاح خون ما را می‌کند خوار و مباح
To say at the wrong time ‘Come to welfare’ will make our blood of no account and licit (liable to be shed with impunity).”
آنک معصوم آمد و پاک از غلط آن خروس جان وحی آمد فقط
Tis only the (spiritual) cock, the Soul of (Divine) inspiration, that is protected (by God from sin) and purged of error.
آن غلامش مرد پیش مشتری شد زیان مشتری آن یکسری
His (the master’s) slave died in the house of the purchaser: that was the purchaser’s loss entirely.
او گریزانید مالش را ولیک خون خود را ریخت اندر یاب نیک
He saved his money, but he shed his own blood. Understand (this) well!
یک زیان دفع زیانها می‌شدی جسم و مال ماست جانها را فدا
One loss would have prevented (many) losses: our bodies and money are the ransom for our souls.
پیش شاهان در سیاست‌گستری می‌دهی تو مال و سر را می‌خری
In the presence of kings, in (the hour of their) dispensing punishment, you offer money and purchase your head (life):
اعجمی چون گشته‌ای اندر قضا می‌گریزانی ز داور مال را
How (then) have you become, in (the case of Divine) destiny, (like) a churl withholding your money from the (Supreme) Judge?
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by: Reza about (category: Masnavi, Persian Poetry)
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