A boy outside shouted “Halwá!” and bragged of (the excellence of) the halwá in hope of (getting) some dángs.
شیخ اشارت کرد خادم را به سر ** که برو آن جمله حلوا را بخر
The Shaykh with (a nod of) his head directed the famulus to go and buy the whole of the halwá,
تا غریمان چون که آن حلوا خورند ** یک زمانی تلخ در من ننگرند
(Saying to himself), “so that the creditors, when they eat the halwá, for a (short) while may not look bitterly on me.”
در زمان خادم برون آمد به در ** تا خرد او جمله حلوا ز ان پسر395
The famulus at once went out through the doorway to buy with gold the halwá entire.
گفت او را جملهی حلوا به چند ** گفت کودک نیم دیناری و اند
He said to the boy, “How much is the halwá in the lump?” The boy said, “Half a dinar and some small change.”
گفت نه از صوفیان افزون مجو ** نیم دینارت دهم دیگر مگو
“Nay,” he replied; “don't ask too much from Súfís: I will give you half a dinar. Say no more.”
او طبق بنهاد اندر پیش شیخ ** تو ببین اسرار سر اندیش شیخ
The boy put the tray before the Shaykh. Behold (now) the mysterious secret thoughts of the Shaykh!
کرد اشارت با غریمان کین نوال ** نک تبرک خوش خورید این را حلال
He made a sign to the creditors (as though to say), “Look, this gift (of sweetmeat) is a present (to you): eat this gladly, it is lawful (food).”
چون طبق خالی شد آن کودک ستد ** گفت دینارم بده ای با خرد400
When the tray was emptied, the boy took it and said, “Give me the gold, O Sage.”
شیخ گفتا از کجا آرم درم ** وام دارم میروم سوی عدم
The Shaykh said, “From where shall I get the money? I am in debt and going towards non-existence.”
کودک از غم زد طبق را بر زمین ** ناله و گریه بر آورد و حنین
The boy in (his) grief dashed the tray upon the ground; he raised (his voice in) lamentation and weeping and moaning.
میگریست از غبن کودک های های ** کای مرا بشکسته بودی هر دو پای
The boy was weeping with loud sobs because of the swindle, (and crying), “Would that both my legs had been broken (ere I came hither)!
کاشکی من گرد گلخن گشتمی ** بر در این خانقه نگذشتمی
Would that I had loitered round the bath-stove and had not passed by the door of this monastery!
صوفیان طبل خوار لقمه جو ** سگ دلان و همچو گربه روی شو405
Lickspittle gluttonous Súfís, dogs at heart and washing their faces like cats!”
از غریو کودک آن جا خیر و شر ** گرد آمد گشت بر کودک حشر
At the boy's clamour all and sundry gathered there and crowded round the boy.
پیش شیخ آمد که ای شیخ درشت ** تو یقین دان که مرا استاد کشت
He came to the Shaykh and said, “O cruel Shaykh, know for sure that my master will kill me (with blows).
گر روم من پیش او دست تهی ** او مرا بکشد اجازت میدهی
If I go (back) to him empty-handed, he will kill me: wilt thou give (him) leave (to do that)?”
و آن غریمان هم به انکار و جحود ** رو به شیخ آورده کاین باری چه بود
And those creditors too turned to the Shaykh with disbelief and denial, saying, “What was this anyhow?
مال ما خوردی مظالم میبری ** از چه بود این ظلم دیگر بر سری410
Thou hast devoured our property and art carrying off thy iniquities (to the next world): for what reason was this other injustice (put) on the top (of all the rest)?”