An old woman of Kábul—bewitched him with a sorcery of which the magic of Babylon (itself) would be envious.
شه بچه شد عاشق کمپیر زشت ** تا عروس و آن عروسی را بهشت
The prince fell in love with the ugly hag, so that he abandoned his bride and the wedding.
یک سیه دیوی و کابولی زنی ** گشت به شه‌زاده ناگه ره‌زنی
A black devil and woman of Kábul suddenly waylaid (seduced) the prince.
آن نودساله عجوزی گنده کس ** نه خرد هشت آن ملک را و نه نس
That stinking ninety years old hag left to the prince neither wisdom nor understanding. [That ninety years old hag whose vulva is stinking left to the prince neither wisdom nor understanding.]
تا به سالی بود شه‌زاده اسیر ** بوسه‌جایش نعل کفش گنده پیر3150
For a (whole) year the prince was captivated: the sole of the hag's shoe was the place where he bestowed his kisses.
صحبت کمپیر او را می‌درود ** تا ز کاهش نیم‌جانی مانده بود
Association with the hag was mowing (consuming) him, till through wasting away (only) half a spirit remained (in him).
دیگران از ضعف وی با درد سر ** او ز سکر سحر از خود بی‌خبر
Others had the headache (were sorely grieved) on account of his weakness, (while) he, from the intoxicating effect of the sorcery, was unconscious of himself.
این جهان بر شاه چون زندان شده ** وین پسر بر گریه‌شان خندان شده
This world had become (as) a prison to the king, while this son (of his) was laughing at their tears.
شاه بس بیچاره شد در برد و مات ** روز و شب می‌کرد قربان و زکات
The king became exceedingly desperate in the struggle (to save his son): day and night he was offering sacrifice and giving alms (but without avail),
زانک هر چاره که می‌کرد آن پدر ** عشق کمپیرک همی‌شد بیشتر3155
For whatever remedy the father might apply, (the son's) love for the old hag would always increase.
پس یقین گشتش که مطلق آن سریست ** چاره او را بعد از این لابه گریست
Then it became clear to him that that (infatuation) was absolutely a (Divine) mystery, and that thenceforth his (only) remedy was supplication.
سجده می‌کرد او که هم فرمان تراست ** غیر حق بر ملک حق فرمان کراست
He was prostrating himself in prayer, saying, “It beseems Thee to command: to whom but God belongeth the command over God's kingdom?
لیک این مسکین همی‌سوزد چو عود ** دست گیرش ای رحیم و ای ودود
But this poor wretch is burning like aloes-wood: take his hand (help him), O Merciful and Loving One!”
تا ز یا رب یا رب و افغان شاه ** ساحری استاد پیش آمد ز راه
(So did he pray) until, because of the “O Lord! O Lord!” and lamentation of the king, a master-magician came from the road into his presence.
مستجاب شدن دعای پادشاه در خلاص پسرش از جادوی کابلی
How the king's prayer for the deliverance of his son from the witch of Kábul was granted.
او شنیده بود از دور این خبر ** که اسیر پیرزن گشت آن پسر3160
He had heard from afar the news that that boy had been captivated by an old woman,
کان عجوزه بود اندر جادوی ** بی‌نظیر و آمن از مثل و دوی
A crone who in witchery was unrivalled and secure from likeness and duality.
دست بر بالای دستست ای فتی ** در فن و در زور تا ذات خدا
Hand is above hand, O youth, in skill and in strength up to the Essence of God.
منتهای دستها دست خداست ** بحر بی‌شک منتهای سیلهاست
The ultimate end of (all) hands is the Hand of God: the ultimate end of (all) torrents is undoubtedly the sea.
هم ازو گیرند مایه ابرها ** هم بدو باشد نهایت سیل را
From it the clouds take their origin, and in it too the torrent hath an end.
گفت شاهش کین پسر از دست رفت ** گفت اینک آمدم درمان زفت3165
The king said to him, “This boy has passed out of control (has lost his wits).” He (the magician) said, “Look you, I am come as a potent remedy.
نیست همتا زال را زین ساحران ** جز من داهی رسیده زان کران
None of these sorcerers is equal to the old woman except me, the sagacious one, who have arrived from yonder shore.
چون کف موسی به امر کردگار ** نک برآرم من ز سحر او دمار
Lo, by command of the Creator, I, like the hand of Moses, will utterly destroy her sorcery;
که مرا این علم آمد زان طرف ** نه ز شاگردی سحر مستخف
For to me this knowledge hath come from yonder region, not from having been schooled in the sorcery which is held cheap (by the wise).