Story of the man who had an allowance

Story of the man who had an allowance from the Police Inspector of Tabríz and had incurred (large) debts in expectation of that allowance, since he was unaware of his (the Inspector’s) death. The gist (of the story is that) his debts were paid, not by any living person, but by the deceased Inspector, (for) as has been said, “He that died and found peace is not dead: the (real) dead one is the man (spiritually) dead among the (materially) living.” داستان آن مرد کی وظیفه داشت از محتسب تبریز و وامها کرده بود بر امید آن وظیفه و او را خبر نه از وفات او حاصل از هیچ زنده‌ای وام او گزارده نشد الا از محتسب متوفی گزارده شد چنانک گفته‌اند لیس من مات فاستراح بمیت انما المیت میت الاحیاء

آن یکی درویش ز اطراف دیار جانب تبریز آمد وامدار
A certain dervish, who was in debt, came from the outlying provinces to Tabríz.
نه هزارش وام بد از زر مگر بود در تبریز بدرالدین عمر
His debts amounted to nine thousand pieces of gold. It happened that in Tabríz was (a man named) Badru’ddín ‘Umar.
محتسب بد او به دل بحر آمده هر سر مویش یکی حاتم‌کده
He was the Police Inspector, (but) at heart he was an ocean (of bounty): every hair’s tip of him was a dwelling-place (worthy) of Hátim.
حاتم ار بودی گدای او شدی سر نهادی خاک پای او شدی
Hátim, had he been (alive), would have become a beggar to him and laid his head (before him) and made himself (as) the dust of his feet.
گر بدادی تشنه را بحری زلال در کرم شرمنده بودی زان نوال
If he had given an ocean of limpid water to a thirsty man, such was his generosity that he would be ashamed of (bestowing) that gift;
ور بکردی ذره‌ای را مشرقی بودی آن در همتش نالایقی
And if he had made a mote (as full of splendour as) a place of sunrise, (even) that would (seem) to his lofty aspiration (to) be an unworthy action.
بر امید او بیامد آن غریب کو غریبان را بدی خویش و نسیب
That poor stranger came (to Tabríz) in hope of him, for to poor strangers he was always (like) a kinsman and relative.
با درش بود آن غریب آموخته وام بی‌حد از عطایش توخته
That poor stranger was familiar with his door and had paid innumerable debts from his bounty.
هم به پشت آن کریم او وام کرد که ببخششهاش واثق بود مرد
In reliance upon that generous (patron) he ran into debt, for the (poor) man was confident of (receiving) his donations.
لا ابالی گشته زو و وام‌جو بر امید قلزم اکرام‌خو
He had been made reckless by him (the Inspector) and eager to incur debts in hope of (being enriched by) that munificent sea.
وام‌داران روترش او شادکام هم‌چو گل خندان از آن روض الکرام
His creditors looked sour, while he was laughing happily, like the rose, on account of that garden (abode) of generous souls.
گرم شد پشتش ز خورشید عرب چه غمستش از سبال بولهب
(When) his (the Moslem’s) back is warmed by the Sun of the Arabs, what does he care for the moustache (vain bluster) of Bú Lahab? 
چونک دارد عهد و پیوند سحاب کی دریغ آید ز سقایانش آب
When he has a covenant and alliance with the rain-cloud, how should he grudge water to the water-carriers?
ساحران واقف از دست خدا کی نهند این دست و پا را دست و پا
How should the magicians who were acquainted with God’s Hand (Power) bestow (the name of) hands and feet upon these hands and feet?
روبهی که هست زان شیرانش پشت بشکند کله‌ی پلنگان را به مشت
The fox that is backed by those lions will break the skulls of the leopards with his fist.


 

PreviousNext

 

Special Offers

What people say about "Story of the man who had an allowance"?

No one replied yet.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *