برق می‌انداخت می‌سوزید سنگ ** ابر می‌غرید رخ می‌ریخت رنگ

It was shooting (flashes of) lightning, the rocks were burning; the cloud was roaring, cheeks were shedding colour.

جملگان بر بامها بودند شب ** که پدید آمد ز بالا آن کرب 1610

All (the people) were on the roofs at night, when that woe came into view from on high.

جملگان از بامها زیر آمدند ** سر برهنه جانب صحرا شدند

All came down from the roofs and went bare-headed towards the open country.

مادران بچگان برون انداختند ** تا همه ناله و نفیر افراختند

Mothers cast out their children, that all might raise wailing and distressful cries.

از نماز شام تا وقت سحر ** خاک می‌کردند بر سر آن نفر

From (the time of) the evening prayer till the hour of dawn, those folk were throwing dust on their heads.

جملگی آوازها بگرفته شد ** رحم آمد بر سر آن قوم لد

(Then) all voices were hushed: the (Divine) mercy came upon that perverse people.

بعد نومیدی و آه ناشکفت ** اندک‌اندک ابر وا گشتن گرفت 1615

After despair and unrestrained lamentation, little by little the cloud began to turn back.

قصه‌ی یونس درازست و عریض ** وقت خاکست و حدیث مستفیض

The story of Yúnus is long and broad: it is time (to speak) of the Earth and (resume) the far-spread tale.

چون تضرع را بر حق قدرهاست ** وآن بها که آنجاست زاری را کجاست

Since humble entreaty has (such) value with God—and where (else) has lamentation the price (reward) that it has there?—

هین امید اکنون میان را چست بند ** خیز ای گرینده و دایم بخند

Oh, (take) hope! Now (to-day) gird thy loins tight! Arise, O weeper, and laugh continually,