چونک خوارمشه ز سیران باز گشت ** با خواص ملک خود هم‌راز گشت
When the Khwárizmsháh returned from his ride, he conferred with the nobles of his kingdom.
پس به سرهنگان بفرمود آن زمان ** تا بیارند اسپ را زان خاندان
Then he immediately ordered the officers to fetch the horse from that (Amír's) household.
هم‌چو آتش در رسیدند آن گروه ** هم‌چو پشمی گشت امیر هم‌چو کوه
(Quick) as fire, the party (of officers) arrived (there): the Amír who was like a mountain (in pride and stubbornness) became (soft and weak) as a piece of wool
جانش از درد و غبین تا لب رسید ** جز عمادالملک زنهاری ندید 3365
He almost expired from the anguish and defraudment: he saw no (means of) protection except the ‘Imádu ’l-Mulk;
که عمادالملک بد پای علم ** بهر هر مظلوم و هر مقتول غم
For the ‘Imádu ’l-Mulk was the foot of the banner to which every victim of injustice and every one stricken by distress would flock for refuge.
محترم‌تر خود نبد زو سروری ** پیش سلطان بود چون پیغامبری
In sooth there was no chief more revered than he: in the eyes of the Sultan he was like a prophet.
بی‌طمع بود او اصیل و پارسا ** رایض و شب‌خیز و حاتم در سخا
He was unambitious, strong-minded, devout, ascetic, one who kept vigils and was (like) Hátim in generosity;
بس همایون‌رای و با تدبیر و راد ** آزموده رای او در هر مراد
Very felicitous in judgement, endowed with foresight, and sage: his judgement had been proved in everything that he sought to attain.
هم به بذل جان سخی و هم به مال ** طالب خورشید غیب او چون هلال 3370
(He was) generous both in self-sacrifice and in sacrificing wealth: (he was) always seeking the Sun of the invisible world, like the new-moon.
در امیری او غریب و محتبس ** در صفات فقر وخلت ملتبس
In his (worldly) princedom he felt strange and embarrassed: he was clad (inwardly) in the attributes of (spiritual) poverty and love (of God).
بوده هر محتاج را هم‌چون پدر ** پیش سلطان شافع و دفع ضرر
He was like a father to every one in need: before the Sultan he was an intercessor and the means of averting harm.
مر بدان را ستر چون حلم خدا ** خلق او بر عکس خلقان و جدا
To the wicked he was a covering (to palliate their offences), like the clemency of God: his nature was opposite to (that of other) created beings and apart (from theirs).
بارها می‌شد به سوی کوه فرد ** شاه با صد لابه او را دفع کرد
Many a time he would have gone alone to the mountains (in order to seclude himself), (but) the Sultan prevented (dissuaded) him by (making) a hundred humble entreaties.
هر دم ار صد جرم را شافع شدی ** چشم سلطان را ازو شرم آمدی 3375
If at every moment he had interceded for a hundred sins, the Sultan's eye would have been abashed before him.
رفت او پیش عماد الملک راد ** سر برهنه کرد و بر خاک اوفتاد
He (the Amír) went to the noble ‘Imádu ’l-Mulk: he bared his head and fell on the ground,
که حرم با هر چه دارم گو بگیر ** تا بگیرد حاصلم را هر مغیر
Saying, “Let him (the king) take my harem together with all that I possess! Let any raider seize my (entire) revenue!
این یکی اسپست جانم رهن اوست ** گر برد مردم یقین ای خیردوست
(But) there is this one horse—my soul is devoted to it: if he take it, I will surely die, O lover of good.
گر برد این اسپ را از دست من ** من یقین دانم نخواهم زیستن
If he take this horse out of my hands, I know for certain that I shall not live (long).
چون خدا پیوستگیی داده است ** بر سرم مال ای مسیحا زود دست 3380
Since God has bestowed (on thee) a (spiritual) connexion (with Himself), stroke my head at once with thy hand, O Messiah!
از زن و زر و عقارم صبر هست ** این تکلف نیست نی تزویریست
I can bear the loss of my women and gold and estates: this is not pretence nor is it an imposture.
اندرین گر می‌نداری باورم ** امتحان کن امتحان گفت و قدم
If thou dost not believe me in this (matter), try me, try me in word and deed!”
آن عمادالملک گریان چشم‌مال ** پیش سلطان در دوید آشفته‌حال
Weeping and wiping his eyes, the ‘Imádu ’l-Mulk ran, with agitated mien, into the presence of the Sultan.
لب ببست و پیش سلطان ایستاد ** راز گویان با خدا رب العباد
He closed his lips and stood before the Sultan, communing with God the Lord of (all) His slaves.
ایستاده راز سلطان می‌شنید ** واندرون اندیشه‌اش این می‌تنید 3385
He stood and listened to the Sultan's intimate talk, while inwardly his thought was weaving this (prayer)—
کای خداگر آن جوان کژ رفت راه ** که نشاید ساختن جز تو پناه
“O God, if that young man (the Amír) has gone the wrong way, for ’tis not fitting to make any one except Thee a refuge,