این چه دم اژدها افشردنست ** هیچ دانی چه خبر آوردنست
What squeezing of the dragon's tail is this? Dost thou know at all what the announcement (of Mohammed's advent) is (in its effects)?
زین خبر جوشد دل دریا و کان ** زین خبر لرزان شود هفت آسمان
At this news the heart of sea and mine will surge; at this news the seven heavens will tremble.”
چون شنید از سنگها پیر این سخن ** پس عصا انداخت آن پیر کهن
When the old man heard these words from the stones (idols), the ancient old man let his staff drop (from his hand);
پس ز لرزه و خوف و بیم آن ندا ** پیر دندانها به هم بر می‌زدی965
Then, from tremor and fear and dread caused by that proclamation (of the idols), the old man was striking his teeth together.
آنچنان که اندر زمستان مرد عور ** او همی لرزید و می‌گفت ای ثبور
Even as a naked man in winter, he was shuddering and saying, “O destruction!”
چون در آن حالت بدید او پیر را ** زان عجب گم کرد زن تدبیر را
When she (Halíma) saw the old man in such a state (of terror), in consequence of that marvel the woman lost (the power of) deliberation.
گفت پیر اگر چه من در محنتم ** حیرت اندر حیرت اندر حیرتم
She said, “O old man, though I am in affliction (on account of the loss of Mohammed), I am in manifold bewilderment (not knowing whether I should grieve or rejoice).
ساعتی بادم خطیبی می‌کند ** ساعتی سنگم ادیبی می‌کند
At one moment the wind is making a speech to me, at another moment the stones are schooling me.
باد با حرفم سخنها می‌دهد ** سنگ و کوهم فهم اشیا می‌دهد970
The wind addresses me with articulate words, the stones and mountains give me intelligence of (the real nature of) things.
گاه طفلم را ربوده غیبیان ** غیبیان سبز پر آسمان
Once (before) they of the Invisible carried off my child—they of the Invisible, the green-winged ones of Heaven.