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).
آمدم تا بر گشایم سحر او ** تا نماند شاه‌زاده زردرو
I am come to undo her sorcery, so that the prince may not remain pale-faced.
سوی گورستان برو وقت سحور ** پهلوی دیوار هست اسپید گور3170
Go to the graveyard at the hour of the meal taken before dawn: beside the wall is a whitened tomb.
سوی قبله باز کاو آنجای را ** تا ببینی قدرت و صنع خدا
Dig up that place in the direction of the qibla, that thou mayst behold the power and the working of God.”
بس درازست این حکایت تو ملول ** زبده را گویم رها کردم فضول
This story is very long, and you (O reader) are weary: I will relate the cream (of it), I dismiss what is superfluous.
آن گره‌های گران را بر گشاد ** پس ز محنت پور شه را راه داد
He (the magician) untied those heavy knots: then he gave to the king's son a way (of escape) from the affliction.
آن پسر با خویش آمد شد دوان ** سوی تخت شاه با صد امتحان
The boy came to himself and with a hundred tribulations went running towards the throne of the king.
سجده کرد و بر زمین می‌زد ذقن ** در بغل کرده پسر تیغ و کفن3175
He made prostration and was beating his chin on the earth: the boy held in his arms a sword and winding-sheet.
شاه آیین بست و اهل شهر شاد ** وآن عروس ناامید بی‌مراد
The king ordered the city to be decorated, and the citizens and the despairing disappointed bride rejoiced.
عالم از سر زنده گشت و پر فروز ** ای عجب آن روز روز امروز روز
The (whole) world revived once more and was filled with radiance: (the people said), “Oh, what a wondrous difference between that day (of sorrow) and to-day!”
یک عروسی کرد شاه او را چنان ** که جلاب قند بد پیش سگان
The king made such a (lavish) wedding-feast for him that sugared julep was (placed) before the dogs.
جادوی کمپیر از غصه بمرد ** روی و خوی زشت فا مالک سپرد
The old witch died of vexation and gave up her hideous face and (foul) nature to Málik.
شاه‌زاده در تعجب مانده بود ** کز من او عقل و نظر چون در ربود3180
The prince was left in amazement: (he said to himself), “How did she rob me of understanding and insight?”
نو عروسی دید هم‌چون ماه حسن ** که همی زد بر ملیحان راه حسن
He beheld a newly wedded bride like the beauteous moon, who was (as a brigand) infesting the road of beauty (and occupying it) against (all) the (other) fair ones.