در فلان صحرا درختی هست زفت ** شاخهااش انبه و بسیار و چفت
In such and such a plain there is a huge tree, its boughs dense and numerous and curved.
سخت راسخ خیمه‌گاه و میخ او ** بوی خون می‌آیدم از بیخ او2445
Its tent and tent-pegs are very firm; from its roots the smell of blood is coining to me.
خون شدست اندر بن آن خوش درخت ** خواجه راکشتست این منحوس‌بخت
Murder has been done at the bottom of that goodly tree: this man of sinister fortune has killed his master.
تا کنون حلم خدا پوشید آن ** آخر از ناشکری آن قلتبان
The clemency, of God has concealed that (crime) till now, (but) at last.(it has come to ‘light) through the ingratitude of that scoundrel,
که عیال خواجه را روزی ندید ** نه بنوروز و نه موسمهای عید
Who never a single day looked upon his master’s family, not (even) at Nawróz and (other) seasons of festival,
بی‌نوایان را به یک لقمه نجست ** یاد ناورد او ز حقهای نخست
And never ‘searched after the destitute (children, to relieve their want) with a single morsel of food, or bethought him of the former obligations (which he had received),
تا کنون از بهر یک گاو این لعین ** می‌زند فرزند او را در زمین2450
(And so continued), till for the sake of a cow this accursed wretch is now felling his (master’s) son’ to the earth.
او بخود برداشت پرده از گناه ** ورنه می‌پوشید جرمش را اله
He, of himself, has lifted the veil from his crime; else God would have concealed his sin.”
کافر و فاسق درین دور گزند ** پرده خود را بخود بر می‌درند
In this cycle of woe the infidel and the profligate rend their veils of their own accord.
ظلم مستورست در اسرار جان ** می‌نهد ظالم بپیش مردمان
Wrong is covered (from sight) in the inmost thoughts of the soul: the wrong-doer exposes it to men,
که ببینیدم که دارم شاخها ** گاو دوزخ را ببینید از ملا
Saying, “Behold me! I have horns! Behold the cow of Hell in full view!”
گواهی دادن دست و پا و زبان بر سر ظالم هم در دنیا
How hands and feet and tongue give evidence concerning the secret of the wicked, even in this world.
پس همینجا دست و پایت در گزند ** بر ضمیر تو گواهی می‌دهند2455
Even here, then, your hands and feet, in (doing) harm, bear witness to your conscience.
چون موکل می‌شود برتو ضمیر ** که بگو تو اعتقادت وا مگیر
Since your (evil) conscience becomes (as) an overseer to you and says, “Speak! Do not keep back your belief,”
خاصه در هنگام خشم و گفت و گو ** می‌کند ظاهر سرت را مو بمو
And, especially at times of anger and quarrelling, makes manifest your secret thought, hair by hair;
چون موکل می‌شود ظلم و جفا ** که هویدا کن مرا ای دست و پا
Since wrong and injustice become your overseer and say, “Display me, O hands and feet,”
چون همی‌گیرد گواه سر لگام ** خاصه وقت جوش و خشم و انتقام
And since the (evil conscience which bears) witness to the secret thought seizes the reins—in particular at times of emotion and anger and revenge—
پس همان کس کین موکل می‌کند ** تا لوای راز بر صحرا زند2460
That One, then, who appoints this (conscience) as overseer, that ‘it may unfurl the banner of the secret on the field—
پس موکلهای دیگر روز حشر ** هم تواند آفرید از بهر نشر
(Surely), then, He can also create, on the Day of Judgement, other overseers for the purpose of unfolding (the secret thoughts).
ای بده دست آمده در ظلم و کین ** گوهرت پیداست حاجت نیست این
O thou who hast entered most recklessly upon (a course of) injustice and malice, thy true nature is evident: this (advertisement of it) is not needed.
نیست حاجت شهره گشتن در گزند ** بر ضمیر آتشینت واقف‌اند
It is not necessary to become celebrated for (doing) harm: they (who possess discernment) are acquainted with thy fiery (hellish) conscience.
نفس تو هر دم بر آرد صد شرار ** که ببینیدم منم ز اصحاب نار
Thy fleshly soul every moment emits a hundred sparks, saying, “Behold me! I am of the people of the Fire.
جزو نارم سوی کل خود روم ** من نه نورم که سوی حضرت شوم2465
I am a part of the Fire: I go to my whole; I am not (composed of) light, so that I should go to the Lord”—
همچنان کین ظالم حق ناشناس ** بهر گاوی کرد چندین التباس
Even as this unjust and ungrateful man wrought so much confusion (made such a great disturbance) for the sake of a cow.
او ازو صد گاو برد و صد شتر ** نفس اینست ای پدر از وی ببر
He carried off from him (the defendant) a hundred cows and a hundred camels this (wickedness) is the fleshly soul: O father, cut yourself asunder from it.
نیز روزی با خدا زاری نکرد ** یا ربی نامد ازو روزی بدرد
Besides, never once did he make humble supplication to God: never once did a cry of “O Lord!” come from him in sorrow—