The Peacock’s Answer to the Sage
From Rumi’s Masnavi (مثنوی معنوی), Book 5, section 31 of 175: The answer of the peacock to his interrogator (جواب گفتن طاوس آن سایل را). Below, each of its 14 couplets is given in Persian, followed by R. A. Nicholson’s English translation.
The answer of the peacock to his interrogator. جواب گفتن طاوس آن سایل را
چون ز گریه فارغ آمد گفت رو
که تو رنگ و بوی را هستی گرو
When he (the peacock) had finished weeping, he said, “Begone, for thou art in pawn (bondage) to colour and perfume.
آن نمی‌بینی که هر سو صد بلا
سوی من آید پی این بالها
Dost not thou perceive that on account of these feathers a hundred afflictions approach me on every side?
ای بسا صیاد بی‌رحمت مدام
بهر این پرها نهد هر سوم دام
Oh, many a pitiless fowler always lays a trap for me everywhere for the sake of these feathers.
چند تیرانداز بهر بالها
تیر سوی من کشد اندر هوا
How many an archer, for the sake of my plumage, shoots arrows at me (when I am) in the air!
چون ندارم زور و ضبط خویشتن
زین قضا و زین بلا و زین فتن
Since I have not strength and self-control (to preserve me) from this destiny and this affliction and these tribulations,
آن به آید که شوم زشت و کریه
تا بوم آمن درین کهسار و تیه
Tis better I should be ugly and hideous, that I may be safe amidst these mountains and deserts.
این سلاح عجب من شد ای فتی
عجب آرد معجبان را صد بلا
These (feathers) are the weapons of my pride, O noble sir: pride brings a hundred afflictions on the proud.
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by: Reza about (category: Masnavi, Persian Poetry)
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