هر کسی بر قوم خود ایثار کرد ** کاغه پندارد که او خود کار کرد

هر کسی بر قوم خود ایثار کرد ** کاغه پندارد که او خود کار کرد 3720

Every one shows favour to his own folk: the fool (who shows favour to the foolish) thinks he has really done (good and religious) work.

خدو انداختن خصم در روی امیر المؤمنین علی علیه السلام و انداختن علی شمشیر را از دست‌‌

How an enemy spat in the face of the Prince of the Faithful, ‘Alí, may God honour his person, and how ‘Alí dropped the sword from his hand.

از علی آموز اخلاص عمل ** شیر حق را دان مطهر از دغل‌‌

Learn how to act sincerely from ‘Alí: know that the Lion of God (‘Alí) was purged of (all) deceit.

در غزا بر پهلوانی دست یافت ** زود شمشیری بر آورد و شتافت‌‌

In fighting against the infidels he got the upper hand of (vanquished) a certain knight, and quickly drew a sword and made haste (to slay him).

او خدو انداخت در روی علی ** افتخار هر نبی و هر ولی‌‌

He spat on the face of ‘Alí, the pride of every prophet and every saint;

آن خدو زد بر رخی که روی ماه ** سجده آرد پیش او در سجده‌‌گاه‌‌

He spat on the countenance before which the face of the moon bows low in the place of worship.

در زمان انداخت شمشیر آن علی ** کرد او اندر غزایش کاهلی‌‌ 3725

‘Alí at once threw his sword away and relaxed (his efforts) in fighting him.

گشت حیران آن مبارز زین عمل ** وز نمودن عفو و رحمت بی‌‌محل‌‌

That champion was astounded by this act and by his showing forgiveness and mercy without occasion.

گفت بر من تیغ تیز افراشتی ** از چه افکندی مرا بگذاشتی‌‌

He said, “You lifted your keen sword against me: why have you flung it aside and spared me?

آن چه دیدی بهتر از پیکار من ** تا شدی تو سست در اشکار من‌‌

What did you see that was better than combat with me, so that you have become slack in hunting me down?

آن چه دیدی که چنین خشمت نشست ** تا چنان برقی نمود و باز جست‌‌

What did you see, so that such anger as yours abated, and so that such a lightning flashed and (then) recoiled?