For to those captives there was naught but farness (from Pharaoh's presence): the sight of Pharaoh was not permitted (to them).
گر فتادندی به ره در پیش او ** بهر آن یاسه بخفتندی برو850
If they fell in with him on the road, they would lie (flat) on their faces on account of the law.
یاسه این بد که نبیند هیچ اسیر ** در گه و بیگه لقای آن امیر
The law was this: no captive in or out of season shall behold the countenance of that Prince,
بانگ چاووشان چو در ره بشنود ** تا ببیند رو به دیواری کند
And whenever on the road he hears the shout of the (royal) beadles, he shall turn his face towards a wall, that he may not see;
ور ببیند روی او مجرم بود ** آنچ بتر بر سر او آن رود
And if he see his face, he shall be guilty of a crime, and the worst punishment shall befall him.
بودشان حرص لقای ممتنع ** چون حریصست آدمی فیما منع
They (the Israelites) had a greed for the inaccessible countenance, since Man is greedy for that which has been forbidden.
به میدان خواندن بنی اسرائیل برای حیله‌ی ولادت موسی علیه السلام
How they summoned the Israelites to the maydán, as a device to prevent the begetting ofMoses, on whom be peace.
ای اسیران سوی میدانگه روید ** کز شهانشه دیدن و جودست امید855
“O captives, go ye to the maydán, for there is hope (for you) of seeing (Pharaoh) and (experiencing) munificence from the King of kings.”
چون شنیدند مژده اسرائیلیان ** تشنگان بودند و بس مشتاق آن
When the Israelites heard the glad news, they were thirsting and longing exceedingly for that (spectacle).
حیله را خوردند و آن سو تاختند ** خویشتن را بهر جلوه ساختند
They swallowed the trick and hastened in that direction and made themselves ready for the (promised) unveiling.
حکایت
Story.
همچنان کاینجا مغول حیله‌دان ** گفت می‌جویم کسی از مصریان
(’Twas) even as (when) here the crafty Moghul said, “I am seeking a certain one of the Egyptians.
مصریان را جمع آرید این طرف ** تا در آید آنک می‌باید بکف
Bring the Egyptians together on this side, in order that he who is wanted may come to hand.”
هر که می‌آمد بگفتا نیست این ** هین در آ خواجه در آن گوشه نشین860
Whenever any one came, he said, “’Tis not this one: oh, come in, sir, and sit in that corner,”
تا بدین شیوه همه جمع آمدند ** گردن ایشان بدین حیلت زدند
Till in this fashion they all were assembled, and they (the Moghuls) beheaded them by means of this trick.
شومی آنک سوی بانگ نماز ** داعی الله را نبردندی نیاز
(Through) the ill-starredness (which they incurred in consequence) of the fact that they would not obey God's summoner (and turn submissively) towards the call to prayer,
دعوت مکارشان اندر کشید ** الحذر از مکر شیطان ای رشید
The invitation of the deceiver inveigled them. O righteous man, beware of the deceit of the Devil!
بانگ درویشان و محتاجان بنوش ** تا نگیرد بانگ محتالیت گوش
Hearken to the cry of the poor and needy, lest thine ear receive (with approval) the cry of a cunning rogue.
گر گدایان طامع‌اند و زشت‌خو ** در شکم‌خواران تو صاحب‌دل بجو865
(Even) if the beggars (dervishes) are covetous and depraved, (yet) seek the man of heart (the spiritual man) amongst the gluttons.
در تگ دریا گهر با سنگهاست ** فخرها اندر میان ننگهاست
At the bottom of the sea there are pearls (mingled) with pebbles: glories are (to be found) amidst shames.
پس بجوشیدند اسرائیلیان ** از پگه تا جانب میدان دوان
The Israelites, then, bestirred themselves mightily, running betimes towards the maydán.
چون بحیلتشان به میدان برد او ** روی خود ننمودشان بس تازه‌رو
When he (Pharaoh) by cunning had brought them into the maydán, he displayed his face to them, looking very fresh (cheerful and gay).
کرد دلداری و بخششها بداد ** هم عطا هم وعده‌ها کرد آن قباد
He showed fondness and gave presents: that Emperor bestowed both gifts and promises.
بعد از آن گفت از برای جانتان ** جمله در میدان بخسپید امشبان870
After that, he said: “For your lives' sake, do ye all sleep in the maydán tonight!”
پاسخش دادند که خدمت کنیم ** گر تو خواهی یک مه اینجا ساکنیم
They answered him, saying, “We will do service (to thee): if thou desire, we will dwell here a month.”
بازگشتن فرعون از میدان به شهر شاد بتفریق بنی اسرائیل از زنانشان در شب حمل
How Pharaoh returned from the maydán to the city, glad at having parted the Israelites from their wives on the night of the conception (of Moses).
شه شبانگه باز آمد شادمان ** کامشبان حملست و دورند از زنان
At nightfall the King came back (to the city), rejoicing and saying (to himself), “The conception is to-night, and they are far from their wives.”
خازنش عمران هم اندر خدمتش ** هم به شهر آمد قرین صحبتش
‘Imrán, his treasurer, also came to the city in attendance upon him as his companion.
گفت ای عمران برین در خسپ تو ** هین مرو سوی زن و صحبت مجو
He said, “O ‘Imrán, do thou sleep at this door. Beware! go not to thy wife or seek to lie with her.”
گفت خسپم هم برین درگاه تو ** هیچ نندیشم بجز دلخواه تو875
He replied, “I will sleep at this portal of thine; I will think of naught but thy pleasure.”
بود عمران هم ز اسرائیلیان ** لیک مر فرعون را دل بود و جان
‘Imrán, too, was one of the Israelites, but he was (dear as) heart and soul to Pharaoh.
کی گمان بردی که او عصیان کند ** آنک خوف جان فرعون آن کند
How should he (Pharaoh) have thought that he (‘Imrán) would disobey (Pharaoh's orders) and do that which (was) the dread of Pharaoh's soul?
جمع آمدن عمران به مادر موسی و حامله شدن مادر موسی علیه‌السلام
How ‘Imrán lay with the mother of Moses and how the mother of Moses, on him be peace, became pregnant.
شب برفت و او بر آن درگاه خفت ** نیم‌شب آمد پی دیدنش جفت
The King departed, and he (‘Imrán) slept at the door; at midnight his wife came to see him.
زن برو افتاد و بوسید آن لبش ** بر جهانیدش ز خواب اندر شبش
The wife fell upon him and kissed his lips: she roused him from his slumber in the night.
گشت بیدار او و زن را دید خوش ** بوسه باران کرده از لب بر لبش880
He awoke and saw that his wife was fair and that she rained kisses from her lips upon his.
گفت عمران این زمان چون آمدی ** گفت از شوق و قضای ایزدی
‘Imrán said, “How didst thou come at this time?” She said, “From desire (of thee) and from the Divine ordinance.”
در کشیدش در کنار از مهر مرد ** بر نیامد با خود آن دم در نبرد
The man drew her lovingly into his arms; at that moment he did not rise to (did not engage in) battle with himself.
جفت شد با او امانت را سپرد ** پس بگفت ای زن نه این کاریست خرد
Concubuit cum ea et depositum (semen) tradidit; then he said, “O wife, this is not a small matter.
آهنی بر سنگ زد زاد آتشی ** آتشی از شاه و ملکش کین‌کشی
A steel struck upon the stone, and a fire was born—a fire that shall take vengeance on the King and his empire.
من چو ابرم تو زمین موسی نبات ** حق شه شطرنج و ما ماتیم مات885
I am as the cloud, thou the earth, and Moses the plant. God is (as) the king on the chessboard, and we are checkmated, checkmated.
مات و برد از شاه میدان ای عروس ** آن مدان از ما مکن بر ما فسوس
Deem (both) checkmate and victory (to proceed) from the King, O spouse: do not deem them to be from us, do not jeer at us.
آنچ این فرعون می‌ترسد ازو ** هست شد این دم که گشتم جفت تو
That of which this Pharaoh is afraid came into being at the moment when I lay with thee.
وصیت کردن عمران جفت خود را بعد از مجامعت کی مرا ندیده باشی
How after having lain with her ‘Imrán charged his wife to pretend that she had not visited him.
وا مگردان هیچ ازینها دم مزن ** تا نیاید بر من و تو صد حزن
Do not reveal aught of these things, do not breathe a word, lest there come upon me and thee a hundred sorrows.
عاقبت پیدا شود آثار این ** چون علامتها رسید ای نازنین
In the end the effects of this will be made manifest, forasmuch as the signs have (already) appeared, O beloved.”
در زمان از سوی میدان نعره‌ها ** می‌رسید از خلق و پر می‌شد هوا890
Forthwith from the direction of the maydán loud cries were (heard) coming from the people, and the air was filled (with noise).
شاه از آن هیبت برون جست آن زمان ** پابرهنه کین چه غلغلهاست هان
Thereupon the King, in terror, sprang forth bare-footed (from his chamber), saying, “Hark, what are these tumults?
از سوی میدان چه بانگست و غریو ** کز نهیبش می‌رمد جنی و دیو
What is the noise and uproar from the direction of the maydán, in fear whereof genie and demon are fleeing in dismay?”
گفت عمران شاه ما را عمر باد ** قوم اسرائیلیانند از تو شاد
‘Imrán said, “May our King live (long)! The people of Israel are rejoicing on account of thee.
از عطای شاه شادی می‌کنند ** رقص می‌آرند و کفها می‌زنند
Because of the bounty of the King they are making merry and dancing and clapping their hands.”
گفت باشد کین بود اما ولیک ** وهم و اندیشه مرا پر کرد نیک895
He (Pharaoh) said, “Maybe it is this, but it makes me very suspicious and anxious.
ترسیدن فرعون از آن بانگ
How Pharaoh was frightened by the noise.
این صدا جان مرا تغییر کرد ** از غم و اندوه تلخم پیر کرد
This sound hath marred my soul and aged me with bitter pain and grief.”
پیش می‌آمد سپس می‌رفت شه ** جمله شب او همچو حامل وقت زه
The King was pacing to and fro, all night he was even as a woman in the hour of childbirth.
هر زمان می‌گفت ای عمران مرا ** سخت از جا برده است این نعره‌ها
Every moment he would say, “O ‘Imrán, these clamours have upset me mightily.”