چون کنی از خلد زی دوزخ فرار ** غافل از لا یستوی اصحاب نار
(Yet) how shouldst thou take flight from Paradise to Hell, heedless of (the text) the people of the Fire (and those of Paradise) are not equal?
این سزای آن که از شاه خبیر ** خیره بگریزد به خانهی گنده پیر
This is the fitting reward for one that unconscionably flees from the King who knows (him) well to the house of an old hag.”
باز میمالید پر بر دست شاه ** بیزبان میگفت من کردم گناه
(Meanwhile) the falcon was rubbing its wings against the King's hand: without tongue it was saying, “I have sinned.”
پس کجا زارد کجا نالد لئیم ** گر تو نپذیری بجز نیک ای کریم335
Where then should the vile (sinner) plead piteously, where should he moan, if Thou wilt accept naught but good, O bountiful (King)?
لطف شه جان را جنایت جو کند ** ز آنکه شه هر زشت را نیکو کند
The King's grace makes the soul sin-seeking, because the King makes every foul thing fair.
رو مکن زشتی که نیکیهای ما ** زشت آمد پیش آن زیبای ما
Go, do not commit foulness, for (even) our fair deeds appear foul in the sight of our beauteous (Loved One).
خدمت خود را سزا پنداشتی ** تو لوای جرم از آن افراشتی
You deemed your service worthy: thereby you raised the banner of sin.
چون ترا ذکر و دعا دستور شد ** ز آن دعاکردن دلت مغرور شد
Forasmuch as praise and prayer were vouchsafed to you, through making that prayer your heart became vainglorious.
هم سخن دیدی تو خود را با خدا ** ای بسا کاو زین گمان افتد جدا340
You regarded yourself as speaking (confidentially) with God. Oh, (there is) many a one that becomes separated (from God) by this opinion.
گر چه با تو شه نشیند بر زمین ** خویشتن بشناس و نیکوتر نشین
Although the King sit with you on the ground, know yourself and sit better (with more decorum and reverence).
باز گفت ای شه پشیمان میشوم ** توبه کردم نو مسلمان میشوم
The falcon said, “O King, I am penitent, I am converted, I am embracing Islam anew.
آن که تو مستش کنی و شیر گیر ** گر ز مستی کج رود عذرش پذیر
He whom Thou makest drunken and pot-valiant—if from drunkenness he walk crookedly, do Thou accept his excuse.
گر چه ناخن رفت چون باشی مرا ** بر کنم من پرچم خورشید را
Though my talons are gone, when thou art mine I tear off the forelock of the sun;
ور چه پرم رفت چون بنوازیم ** چرخ بازی گم کند در بازیم345
And though my wings are gone, when Thou art kind to me the heavenly sphere loses its play (ceases to revolve).
گر کمر بخشیم که را بر کنم ** گر دهی کلکی علمها بشکنم
If Thou bestow a belt on me, I will uproot the mountain; if Thou give me a pen, I will break the banners.
آخر از پشه نه کم باشد تنم ** ملک نمرودی به پر بر هم زنم
After all, my body is not inferior to (that of) a gnat: with my wings I confound the kingdom of Nimrod.
در ضعیفی تو مرا بابیل گیر ** هر یکی خصم مرا چون پیل گیر
Suppose me to be (as) the flocks of (small) birds in weakness, suppose every one of my enemies to be as the elephant,
قدر فندق افکنم بندق حریق ** بندقم در فعل صد چون منجنیق
(Yet if) I cast a baked (clay) pellet the size of a hazelnut, my pellet in its effect is like (equal to) a hundred mangonels (ballistas).”
موسی آمد در وغا با یک عصاش ** زد بر آن فرعون و بر شمشیرهاش350
Moses came to battle with his one rod and made an onset against Pharaoh and (all) his swords.
هر رسولی یک تنه کان در زده ست ** بر همه آفاق تنها بر زده ست
Every Prophet who by himself has knocked at that door (and besought God to help him) has alone (single-handed) fought (victoriously) against the whole world.
نوح چون شمشیر در خواهید ازو ** موج طوفان گشت از او شمشیر خو
When Noah begged of Him (God) a sword, through Him (at His command) the waves of the Flood became of sword-like temper.
احمدا خود کیست اسپاه زمین ** ماه بین بر چرخ و بشکافش جبین
O Ahmad (Mohammed), who (what) indeed are the armies of the earth? Behold the moon in heaven (and) split her brow,
تا بداند سعد و نحس بیخبر ** دور تست این دور نه دور قمر
In order that the ignorant astronomer may know that this cycle is thy cycle, not the cycle of the moon.
دور تست ایرا که موسای کلیم ** آرزو میبرد زین دورت مقیم355
It is thy cycle, because (even) Moses, he who spoke (with God), was constantly yearning after this cycle of thine.
چون که موسی رونق دور تو دید ** کاندر او صبح تجلی میدمید
When Moses beheld the splendour of thy cycle, in which the dawn of Revelation was arising,