خویش را در مضحکه انداختم ** مالها با دشمنان در باختم
I exposed myself to derision, I squandered riches on my enemies,
تا که امشب جمله اسرائیلیان ** دور ماندند از ملاقات زنان
To the end that to-night all the Israelites might remain far away from meeting with their wives.
مال رفت و آب رو و کار خام ** این بود یاری و افعال کرام
Wealth and honour are gone, and all is done in vain: is this (true) friendship and (are these) the deeds of the noble?
سالها ادرار و خلعت می‌برید ** مملکتها را مسلم می‌خورید
For years ye have been taking stipends and robes of honour and devouring kingdoms as ye pleased.
رایتان این بود و فرهنگ و نجوم ** طبل‌خوارانید و مکارید و شوم925
Was this (the only result of) your judgement and wisdom and astrology? Ye are lickspittles and deceivers and ill-omened.
من شما را بر درم و آتش زنم ** بینی و گوش و لبانتان بر کنم
I will rend you to pieces and set you ablaze, I will tear off your noses and ears and lips.
من شما را هیزم آتش کنم ** عیش رفته بر شما ناخوش کنم
I will make you fuel for the fire, I will make your past pleasure unsweet to you.”
سجده کردند و بگفتند ای خدیو ** گر یکی کرت ز ما چربید دیو
They prostrated themselves and said, “O Khedive, if (this) one time the Devil has prevailed against us,
سالها دفع بلاها کرده‌ایم ** وهم حیران زانچ ماها کرده‌ایم
(Yet) for years we have warded off afflictions: the imagination is dumbfounded by that which we have done.
فوت شد از ما و حملش شد پدید ** نطفه‌اش جست و رحم اندر خزید930
(Now) it (the prevention of this calamity) has eluded us, and his conception has occurred: semen ejus exsiliit et in uterum irrepsit; [(Now) it (the prevention of this calamity) has eluded us, and his conception has occurred: his semen spurted forth and crept into the womb;]
لیک استغفار این روز ولاد ** ما نگه داریم ای شاه و قباد
But (we crave) pardon for this, (and) we shall watch the day of birth, O King and Sovereign.
روز میلادش رصد بندیم ما ** تا نگردد فوت و نجهد این قضا
We shall observe (by the stars) the day of his nativity, that this event may not escape and evade us.
گر نداریم این نگه ما را بکش ** ای غلام رای تو افکار و هش
If we do not keep watch for this, kill us, O thou to whose judgement (our) thoughts and intelligence are slaves.”
تا بنه مه می‌شمرد او روز روز ** تا نپرد تیر حکم خصم‌دوز
For nine months he was counting day after day, lest the arrow of the Decree that transfixes its enemy should fly (from the bow).
بر قضا هر کو شبیخون آورد ** سرنگون آید ز خون خود خورد935
When (the world of) space makes an assault upon (the world of) non-spatiality, it falls headlong and drinks its own blood.
چون زمین با آسمان خصمی کند ** شوره گردد سر ز مرگی بر زند
When the earth shows enmity to the sky, it becomes salty (barren) and presents a spectacle of death.
نقش با نقاش پنجه می‌زند ** سبلتان و ریش خود بر می‌کند
(When) the picture (creature) struggles hand to hand with the Painter (Creator), it (only) tears out its own moustaches and beard.
خواندن فرعون زنان نوزاده را سوی میدان هم جهت مکر
How Pharaoh summoned the women who had new-born children to the maydán, (doing this) also for the sake of his plot (against Moses).
بعد نه مه شه برون آورد تخت ** سوی میدان و منادی کرد سخت
After nine months the King brought out his throne to the maydán and made a strict proclamation.
کای زنان با طفلکان میدان روید ** جمله اسرائیلیان بیرون شوید
“O women, go with your babes to the maydán; go forth, all ye of Israel.
آنچنانک پار مردان را رسید ** خلعت و هر کس ازیشان زر کشید940
Just as last year robes of honour were bestowed on the men, and every one of them bore away gold,
هین زنان امسال اقبال شماست ** تا بیابد هر یکی چیزی که خواست
Hark, O women, this year it is your fortune, so that each one (of you) may obtain the thing she desires.
مر زنان را خلعت و صلت دهد ** کودکان را هم کلاه زر نهد
He will give the women robes of honour and donations; on the children too he will put mitres of gold.
هر که او این ماه زاییدست هین ** گنجها گیرید از شاه مکین
Take heed! Every one of you that has borne a child during this month shall receive treasures from the mighty King.”
آن زنان با طفلکان بیرون شدند ** شادمان تا خیمه‌ی شه آمدند
The women went forth with their babes: they came joyfully to the King's tent.
هر زن نوزاده بیرون شد ز شهر ** سوی میدان غافل از دستان و قهر945
Every woman that had newly given birth went forth from the city to the maydán, unsuspicious of guile and vengeance.