Noah’s People Mock Him Building the Ark
From Rumi’s Masnavi (مثنوی معنوی), Book 3, section 120 of 185: How the people of Noah uttered similitudes derisively at the time of his building the Ark (مثلها زدن قوم نوح باستهزا در زمان کشتی ساختن). Below, each of its 4 couplets is given in Persian, followed by R. A. Nicholson’s English translation.
How the people of Noah uttered similitudes derisively at the time of his building the Ark مثلها زدن قوم نوح باستهزا در زمان کشتی ساختن
نوح اندر بادیه کشتی بساخت صد مثل‌گو از پی تسخیر بتاخت
Noah built an Ark in the desert : a hundred speakers of parables ran up to ridicule (him).
در بیابانی که چاه آب نیست می‌کند کشتی چه نادان و ابلهیست
He is making a ship (Ark) in the desert where no well of water exists: what an ignorant fool he is!”
آن یکی می‌گفت ای کشتی بتاز و آن یکی می‌گفت پرش هم بساز
One was saying, “O ship, run!” while another said, “Make wings for it too”
او همی‌گفت این به فرمان خداست این بچربکها نخواهد گشت کاست
He (Noah) said, “This is by the command of God: this will not be defeated by jeers.”
Special Offers
← Previous sectionMasnavi Book 3 contentsNext section →
More Rumi: the Song of the Reed (Book 1 proem), real Rumi quotes in Persian and the Persian poetry quiz.
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: Masnavi, Persian Poetry)
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 "Noah's People Mock Him Building the Ark"?
No one replied yet.