زاد مردی چاشتگاهی در رسید ** در سرا عدل سلیمان در دوید
One forenoon a freeborn (noble) man arrived and ran into Solomon's hall of justice,
رویش از غم زرد و هر دو لب کبود ** پس سلیمان گفت ای خواجه چه بود
His countenance pale with anguish and both lips blue. Then Solomon said, “Good sir, what is the matter?”
گفت عزراییل در من این چنین ** یک نظر انداخت پر از خشم و کین
He replied, “Azrael cast on me such a look, so full of wrath and hate.”
گفت هین اکنون چه می‌‌خواهی بخواه ** گفت فرما باد را ای جان پناه
“Come,” said the king, “what (boon) do you desire now? Ask (it)!” “O protector of my life,” said he, “command the wind,
تا مرا ز ینجا به هندستان برد ** بو که بنده کان طرف شد جان برد960
To bear me from here to India. Maybe, when thy slave is come thither he will save his life.”
نک ز درویشی گریزانند خلق ** لقمه‌‌ی حرص و امل ز آنند خلق
Lo, the people are fleeing from poverty: hence are they a mouthful for (a prey to) covetousness and expectation.
ترس درویشی مثال آن هراس ** حرص و کوشش را تو هندستان شناس
The fear of poverty is like that (man's) terror: know thou that covetousness and striving are (like) India (in this tale).
باد را فرمود تا او را شتاب ** برد سوی قعر هندستان بر آب
He (Solomon) commanded the wind to bear him quickly over the water to the uttermost part of India.
روز دیگر وقت دیوان و لقا ** پس سلیمان گفت عزراییل را
Next day, at the time of conference and meeting, Solomon said to Azrael:
کان مسلمان را بخشم از چه چنان ** بنگریدی تا شد آواره ز خان965
“Didst thou look with anger on that Moslem in order that he might wander (as an exile) far from his home?”
گفت من از خشم کی کردم نظر ** از تعجب دیدمش در رهگذر
Azrael said, “When did I look (on him) angrily? I saw him as I passed by, (and looked at him) in astonishment,
که مرا فرمود حق که امروز هان ** جان او را تو به هندستان ستان
For God had commanded me, saying, ‘Hark, to-day do thou take his spirit in India.’
از عجب گفتم گر او را صد پر است ** او به هندستان شدن دور اندر است
From wonder I said (to myself), ‘(Even) if he has a hundred wings, ’tis a far journey for him to be in India (to-day).’”
تو همه کار جهان را همچنین ** کن قیاس و چشم بگشا و ببین
In like manner judge of all the affairs of this world and open your eye and see!
از که بگریزیم از خود ای محال ** از که برباییم از حق ای وبال970
From whom shall we flee? From ourselves? Oh, absurdity! From whom shall we take (ourselves) away? From God? Oh, crime!
باز ترجیح‌‌نهادن شیر جهد را بر توکل و فواید جهد را بیان کردن
How the lion again declared exertion to be superior to trust in God and expounded the advantages of exertion.
شیر گفت آری و لیکن هم ببین ** جهدهای انبیا و مومنین
“Yes,” said the lion; “but at the same time consider the exertions of the prophets and the true believers.
حق تعالی جهدشان را راست کرد ** آن چه دیدند از جفا و گرم و سرد
God, exalted is He, prospered their exertion and what they suffered of oppression and heat and cold.
حیله‌‌هاشان جمله حال آمد لطیف ** کل شی‌‌ء من ظریف هو ظریف
Their plans were excellent in all circumstances: everything done by a goodly man is goodly.
دامهاشان مرغ گردونی گرفت ** نقصهاشان جمله افزونی گرفت
Their snares caught the Heavenly bird, all their deficiencies turned to increment.”
جهد می‌‌کن تا توانی ای کیا ** در طریق انبیا و اولیا975
O master, exert thyself so long as thou canst in (following) the way of the prophets and saints!
با قضا پنجه زدن نبود جهاد ** ز آن که این را هم قضا بر ما نهاد
Endeavour is not a struggle with Destiny, because Destiny itself has laid this (endeavour) upon us.
کافرم من گر زیان کرده ست کس ** در ره ایمان و طاعت یک نفس
I am an infidel if any one has suffered loss a single moment (while walking) in the way of faith and obedience.
سر شکسته نیست این سر را مبند ** یک دو روزک جهد کن باقی بخند
Your head is not broken: do not bandage this head. Exert yourself (in doing good works) for one or two little days (i.e. during this brief life), and laugh unto everlasting!
بد محالی جست کاو دنیا بجست ** نیک حالی جست کاو عقبی بجست
An evil resort sought he that sought this world; a good state sought he that sought the world to come.
مکرها در کسب دنیا بارد است ** مکرها در ترک دنیا وارد است980
Plots for gaining (the things of) this world are worthless, (but) plots for renouncing this world are inspired (by God).