او همی‌‌گوید بکش پیشین مرا ** تا نیاید از من این منکر خطا

He (my friend) says, ‘Kill me first, in order that this hateful crime may not proceed from me.’

من همی‌‌گویم چو مرگ من ز تست ** با قضا من چون توانم حیله جست‌‌

I say, ‘Since my death is (to come) from thee, how can I seek to evade the destiny (of God)?’

او همی‌‌افتد به پیشم کای کریم ** مر مرا کن از برای حق دو نیم‌‌

He falls before me, saying, ‘O generous man, for God's sake cleave me in twain,

تا نیاید بر من این انجام بد ** تا نسوزد جان من بر جان خود 3850

That this evil end may not come upon me, and that my soul may not burn (with grief) for (thee who art) its (very) life.’

من همی‌‌گویم برو جف القلم ** ز آن قلم بس سر نگون گردد علم‌‌

I say, ‘Go: the Pen (of Divine ordainment) is dry; by that Pen many a (lofty) landmark is overthrown.

هیچ بغضی نیست در جانم ز تو ** ز آن که این را من نمی‌‌دانم ز تو

There is no hatred of thee in my soul, because I do not regard this (act) as (proceeding) from thee.

آلت حقی تو فاعل دست حق ** چون زنم بر آلت حق طعن و دق‌‌

Thou art God's instrument, God's hand is the (real) agent: how should I assail and oppose God's instrument?’”

گفت او پس آن قصاص از بهر چیست ** گفت هم از حق و آن سر خفی است‌‌

He (the knight) said, “For what reason, then, is retaliation (sanctioned)?” “’Tis from God, too,” said ‘Alí, “and that is a hidden mystery.

گر کند بر فعل خود او اعتراض ** ز اعتراض خود برویاند ریاض‌‌ 3855

If He takes offence at His own act, (yet) He causes gardens (of good) to grow from that taking offence.

اعتراض او را رسد بر فعل خود ** ز آن که در قهر است و در لطف او احد

It beseems Him to take offence at His own act, inasmuch as in vengeance and mercy He is One.