از مجاعت و اشتها هر گاو و خر ** کاه را می‌خورد خوشتر از شکر
(Moved) by hunger and (ravenous) appetite, every cow and donkey was devouring the straw, (as though it were) sweeter than sugar.
گاه آهو می‌رمید از سو به سو ** گه ز دود و گرد که می‌تافت رو
Now the gazelle would run in fright from side to side, now it would turn its face away from the smoke and dust of the straw.
هرکرا با ضد خود بگذاشتند ** آن عقوبت را چو مرگ انگاشتند
Whosoever is left (in company) with his opposite, they (who are wise) have deemed that punishment (terrible) as death,
تا سلیمان گفت که آن هدهد اگر ** هجر را عذری نگوید معتبر
So that Solomon said, “Unless the hoopoe make a respectable excuse for his absence,
بکشمش یا خود دهم او را عذاب ** یک عذاب سخت بیرون از حساب 840
I will kill him or inflict upon him a torment, a torment severe beyond (all) calculation.”
هان کدامست آن عذاب این معتمد ** در قفص بودن به غیر جنس خود
Hark, what is that torment, O trusted (friend)? To be in a cage without thy congener.
زین بدن اندر عذابی ای بشر ** مرغ روحت بسته با جنسی دگر
O Man, thou art in torment on account of this body: the bird, thy spirit, is imprisoned with one of another kind.
روح بازست و طبایع زاغها ** دارد از زاغان و چغدان داغها
The spirit is a falcon, and the (bodily) properties are crows: it has (receives) painful brands from the crows and owls.
او بمانده در میانشان زارزار ** هم‌چو بوبکری به شهر سبزوار
It remains amongst them in sore misery, like an Abú Bakr in the city of Sabzawár.
حکایت محمد خوارزمشاه کی شهر سبزوار کی همه رافضی باشند به جنگ بگرفت اما جان خواستند گفت آنگه امان دهم کی ازین شهر پیش من به هدیه ابوبکر نامی بیارید
Story of Mohammed Khwárizmsháh who took by war (force) the city of Sabzawár, where all (the inhabitants) are Ráfizís (extreme Shí‘ites). (When) they begged him to spare their lives, he said, “I will grant (you) security as soon as ye produce from this city a man named Abú Bakr and present him to me.”
شد محمد الپ الغ خوارزمشاه ** در قتال سبزوار پر پناه 845
Mohammed Alp Ulugh Khwárizmsháh marched to battle against Sabzawár, (the city) full of refuge (for the wicked).
تنگشان آورد لشکرهای او ** اسپهش افتاد در قتل عدو
His troops reduced them (the inhabitants) to straits; his army fell to killing the foe.
سجده آوردند پیشش کالامان ** حلقه‌مان در گوش کن وا بخش جان
They prostrated themselves before him, crying, “Mercy! Make us thy thralls, (but) spare our lives!
هر خراج و صلتی که بایدت ** آن ز ما هر موسمی افزایدت
Whatever thou requirest (in the way of) tribute or presents will come to thee from us with increase (abundantly) at every fixed time (of payment).
جان ما آن توست ای شیرخو ** پیش ما چندی امانت باش گو
Our lives are thine, O lion-natured (prince): let them be on deposit with us for a (little) while.”
گفت نرهانید از من جان خویش ** تا نیاریدم ابوبکری به پیش 850
He replied, “Ye will not save your lives from me unless ye bring an Abú Bakr into my presence.
تا مرا بوبکر نام از شهرتان ** هدیه نارید ای رمیده امتان
Unless ye bring to me as a gift from your city one whose name is Abú Bakr, O people who have fled (from righteousness),
بدرومتان هم‌چو کشت ای قوم دون ** نه خراج استانم و نه هم فسون
I will mow you down like corn, O vile folk: I will accept neither tribute nor blandishments.”
بس جوال زر کشیدندش به راه ** کز چنین شهری ابوبکری مخواه
They offered him many sacks of gold, saying, “Do not demand an Abú Bakr from a city like this.
کی بود بوبکر اندر سبزوار ** یا کلوخ خشک اندر جویبار
How should there be an Abú Bakr in Sabzawár, or a dry sod in the river?”
رو بتابید از زر و گفت ای مغان ** تا نیاریدم ابوبکر ارمغان 855
He averted his face from the gold and said, “O Magians (infidels), unless ye bring me an Abú Bakr as an offering,
هیچ سودی نیست کودک نیستم ** تا به زر و سیم حیران بیستم
’Tis of no avail. I am not a child that I should stand dumbfounded (fascinated) by gold and silver.”
تا نیاری سجده نرهی ای زبون ** گر بپیمایی تو مسجد را به کون
Unless thou prostrate thyself (in humble submission to God), thou wilt not escape (from punishment), O wretch, (even) if thou traverse the (whole) mosque on thy séant.
منهیان انگیختند از چپ و راست ** که اندرین ویرانه بوبکری کجاست
They (the inhabitants of Sabzawár) despatched emissaries, (to inquire) where in this desolate (corrupt) place an Abú Bakr was (to be found).
بعد سه روز و سه شب که اشتافتند ** یک ابوبکری نزاری یافتند
After three days and three nights, during which they made haste (in searching), they found an emaciated Abú Bakr.
ره گذر بود و بمانده از مرض ** در یکی گوشه‌ی خرابه پر حرض 860
He was a wayfarer and, on account of sickness, had remained in the corner of a ruin, in utter exhaustion.