Two Magicians Question Their Dead Father
From Rumi’s Masnavi (مثنوی معنوی), Book 3, section 43 of 185: How those two magicians summoned their father from the grave and questioned their father's spirit concerning the real nature of Moses (خواندن آن دو ساحر پدر را از گور و پرسیدن از روان پدر حقیقت موسی علیه السلام). Below, each of its 10 couplets is given in Persian, followed by R. A. Nicholson’s English translation.
How those two magicians summoned their father from the grave and questioned their father’s spirit concerning the real nature of Moses, on whom be peace. خواندن آن دو ساحر پدر را از گور و پرسیدن از روان پدر حقیقت موسی علیه السلام
بعد از آن گفتند ای مادر بیا گور بابا کو تو ما را ره نما
Afterwards they said, “Come, O mother, where is our father’s grave? Do thou show us the way.”
بردشان بر گور او بنمود راه پس سه‌روزه داشتند از بهر شاه
She took them and showed the way to his grave: then they kept a three days’ fast for the sake of the King.
بعد از آن گفتند ای بابا به ما شاه پیغامی فرستاد از وجا
After that they said, “O father, the King in consternation hath sent us a message
که دو مرد او را به تنگ آورده‌اند آب رویش پیش لشکر برده‌اند
(To say) that two men have brought him to sore straits and have destroyed his prestige with the army.
نیست با ایشان سلاح و لشکری جز عصا و در عصا شور و شری
There is not with them any weapons or soldiers; nothing but a rod, and in the rod is a calamity and bane.
تو جهان راستان در رفته‌ای گرچه در صورت به خاکی خفته‌ای
Thou art gone into the world of the righteous, though to outward seeming thou liest in a tomb.
آن اگر سحرست ما را ده خبر ور خدایی باشد ای جان پدر
If that is magic, inform us; and if it be divine, O spirit of our father,
هم خبر ده تا که ما سجده کنیم خویشتن بر کیمیایی بر زنیم
(In that case) also inform us, so that we may bow down (before them) and bring ourselves in touch with an elixir.
ناامیدانیم و اومیدی رسید
راندگانیم و کرم ما را کشید
We are despairing, and a hope has come; we are banished, and Mercy has drawn us (towards favour).”
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 "Two Magicians Question Their Dead Father"?
No one replied yet.