تا ببینی خیر او و شر او ** بعد از آن بر گیر او را ز امر هو
That thou mayst behold its good and evil; after that, take it up (again) by command of Him.”
پیش از افکندن نبود او غیر چوب ** چون به امرش بر گرفتی گشت خوب
Before his dropping it, it was naught but wood; whenever he took it up by His command, it became goodly.
اول او بد برگ‌افشان بره را ** گشت معجز آن گروه غره را
At first it was shaking down leaves for the lambs; (afterwards) it reduced to impotence that deluded people.
گشت حاکم بر سر فرعونیان ** آبشان خون کرد و کف بر سر زنان3580
It became ruler over the party of Pharaoh: it turned their water into blood and caused them to beat their heads with their hands.
از مزارعشان برآمد قحط و مرگ ** از ملخهایی که می‌خوردند برگ
From their sown fields arose famine and death on account of the locusts which devoured the leaves,
تا بر آمد بی‌خود از موسی دعا ** چون نظر افتادش اندر منتها
Till from Moses, when he considered the ultimate issue, there went up involuntarily a prayer (to God)
کین همه اعجاز و کوشیدن چراست ** چون نخواهند این جماعت گشت راست
“For what reason is all this disablement (of them) and striving (to convert them), since this multitude will never become righteous? ”
امر آمد که اتباع نوح کن ** ترک پایان‌بینی مشروح کن
The (Divine) command came (to him), saying, “Follow Noah! Refrain from considering the end (of the matter) as it has been disclosed (to thee).
زان تغافل کن چو داعی رهی ** امر بلغ هست نبود آن تهی3585
Take no heed of that, since thou art one who calls (the people) to the (true) Way. The command, ‘Deliver the message,’ is there: it is not void (of meaning).”
کمترین حکمت کزین الحاح تو ** جلوه گردد آن لجاج و آن عتو
The least purpose (thereof) is that through this persistence of thine that obstinacy and rebellious pride (of the infidels) may be displayed,
تا که ره بنمودن و اضلال حق ** فاش گردد بر همه اهل و فرق
So that God’s showing the way (to some) and letting (others) be lost may become evident to all the followers of religious sects.
چونک مقصود از وجود اظهار بود ** بایدش از پند و اغوا آزمود
Inasmuch as the object of existence was the manifestation (of these two Divine attributes), it must be tested by means of exhorting (to obedience) and leading astray.
دیو الحاح غوایت می‌کند ** شیخ‌الحاح هدایت می‌کند
The Devil persists to (seducing to) error; the Shaykh persists in guiding aright.
چون پیاپی گشت آن امر شجون ** نیل می‌آمد سراسر جمله خون3590
When that grievous command (of God) proceeded step by step (pursued its course), the whole Nile was turned into blood from end to end,
تا بنفس خویش فرعون آمدش ** لابه می‌کردش دو تا گشته قدش
Till (at last) Pharaoh came in person to him (Moses), humbly entreating him, his tall figure bent double,
کانچ ما کردیم ای سلطان مکن ** نیست ما را روی ایراد سخن
And said, “O (spiritual) sovereign, do not that which we did we have not the face to offer words (of excuse).
پاره پاره گردمت فرمان‌پذیر ** من بعزت خوگرم سختم مگیر
I will become obedient to thy command with every bit (of my body); I am accustomed to be held in honour: do not deal hardly with me.
هین بجنبان لب به رحمت ای امین ** تا ببندد این دهانه‌ی آتشین
Hark, move thy lips in mercy, O trusted one, that it (thy prayer) may shut this fiery mouth (of Divine anger).”
گفت یا رب می‌فریبد او مرا ** می‌فریبد او فریبنده‌ی ترا3595
He (Moses) said, “O Lord, he is deceiving me; he is deceiving Thy deceiver.
بشنوم یا من دهم هم خدعه‌اش ** تا بداند اصل را آن فرع‌کش
Shall I hearken (to him) or shall I too give him deceit (in return), in order that that puller of the branch may recognise the root?
که اصل هر مکری و حیلت پیش ماست ** هر چه بر خاکست اصلش از سماست
For the root (origin) of every cunning and contrivance is with use: whatsoever is on the earth, its root (origin) is from Heaven.”
گفت حق آن سگ نیرزد هم به آن ** پیش سگ انداز از دور استخوان
God said (to Moses), “That cur (Pharaoh) is not worth even that: fling a bone to the cur from a distance.
هین بجنبان آن عصا تا خاکها ** وا دهد هرچه ملخ کردش فنا
Hark, shake the rod, so that the sods may give back whatever the locusts have destroyed,
وان ملخها در زمان گردد سیاه ** تا ببیند خلق تبدیل اله3600
And let the locusts immediately become black, that the people may behold the transformation wrought by God;
که سببها نیست حاجت مر مرا ** آن سبب بهر حجابست و غطا
For I have no need of means: those means are (only) for the purpose of (serving as) a screen and covering,