Wise Christians See Through the Vizier
From Rumi’s Masnavi (مثنوی معنوی), Book 1, section 19 of 171: How the sagacious among the Christians perceived the guile of the vizier (فهم کردن حاذقان نصارا مکر وزیر را). Below, each of its 18 couplets is given in Persian, followed by R. A. Nicholson’s English translation.
How the sagacious among the Christians perceived the guile of the vizier فهم کردن حاذقان نصارا مکر وزیر را
هر که صاحب ذوق بود از گفت او
لذتی می‌‌دید و تلخی جفت او
Whoever was possessed of (spiritual) discernment was feeling a sweet savour in his words and, joined therewith, bitterness.
نکته‌‌ها می‌‌گفت او آمیخته
در جلاب قند زهری ریخته
He (the vizier) was saying fine things mixed (with foul): he had poured some poison into the sugared julep.
ظاهرش می‌‌گفت در ره چیست شو
وز اثر می‌‌گفت جان را سست شو
The outward sense of it was saying, “Be diligent in the Way,” but in effect it was saying to the soul, “Be slack.”
ظاهر نقره گر اسپید است و نو
دست و جامه می سیه گردد ازو
If the surface of silver is white and new, (yet) the hands and dress are blackened by it.
آتش ار چه سرخ روی است از شرر
تو ز فعل او سیه کاری نگر
Although fire is red-faced (bright and glorious) with sparks, look at the black behaviour (displayed) in its action.
برق اگر نوری نماید در نظر
لیک هست از خاصیت دزد بصر
If the lightning appears luminous to the eye, (yet) from its distinctive property it is the robber of sight (it strikes men blind).
هر که جز آگاه و صاحب ذوق بود
گفت او در گردن او طوق بود
(As for) any (Christian) who was not wary and possessed of discernment, the words of him (the vizier) were (as) a collar on his neck.
مدت شش سال در هجران شاه
شد وزیر اتباع عیسی را پناه
During six years, in separation from the king, the vizier became a refuge for the followers of Jesus.
دین و دل را کل بدو بسپرد خلق
پیش امر و حکم او می‌‌مرد خلق
To him the people wholly surrendered their religion and their hearts: at his command and decree they were ready to die.
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