بر فلک پیدا شد آن استاره‌اش ** کوری فرعون و مکر و چاره‌اش

His star appeared in the sky, to the confusion of Pharaoh and his plots and devices.

روز شد گفتش که ای عمران برو ** واقف آن غلغل و آن بانگ شو

Day broke: he (Pharaoh) said to him (‘Imrán), “O ‘Imrán, go, inform thyself concerning that uproar and noise.”

راند عمران جانب میدان و گفت ** این چه غلغل بود شاهنشه نخفت

‘Imrán rode to the maydán and said, “What uproar was this? The King of kings has not slept.”

هر منجم سر برهنه جامه‌پاک ** همچو اصحاب عزا بوسیده خاک 905

Every astrologer, with head bare and garment rent, kissed the earth (before him), like mourners.

همچو اصحاب عزا آوازشان ** بد گرفته از فغان و سازشان

Their voices were choked with lamentation, like mourners, and their guise (dishevelled).

ریش و مو بر کنده رو بدریدگان ** خاک بر سر کرده خون‌پر دیدگان

They had plucked out their beards and hair; their faces were torn; they had cast earth on their heads, and their eyes were filled with blood.

گفت خیرست این چه آشوبست و حال ** بد نشانی می‌دهد منحوس سال

He (‘Imrán) said, “Is it well (with you)? What is this perturbation and emotion? Does the unlucky year give an evil sign?”

عذر آوردند و گفتند ای امیر ** کرد ما را دست تقدیرش اسیر

They offered excuses and said, “O Amír, the hand of His predestination hath made us captive.

این همه کردیم و دولت تیره شد ** دشمن شه هست گشت و چیره شد 910

We have done all this, and (now) Fortune is darkened: the King's enemy has come into being and has prevailed.

شب ستاره‌ی آن پسر آمد عیان ** کوری ما بر جبین آسمان

During the night the star of that boy became clearly visible, to our confusion, on the front of heaven.

زد ستاره‌ی آن پیمبر بر سما ** ما ستاره‌بار گشتیم از بکا

The star of that prophet shot up in the sky: we, from weeping, began to shed stars (glistening tears).”

با دل خوش شاد عمران وز نفاق ** دست بر سر می‌بزد کاه الفراق

‘Imrán, with a right glad heart and from hypocrisy, was beating his hands on his head and crying, “Alas, all is lost.”

کرد عمران خویش پر خشم و ترش ** رفت چون دیوانگان بی عقل و هش

‘Imrán feigned to be wrathful and grim, he went (amongst them) senseless and witless, like madmen.

خویشتن را اعجمی کرد و براند ** گفته‌های بس خشن بر جمع خواند 915

He feigned to be ignorant and pushed forward and addressed to the company (of astrologers) words exceeding rough.

خویشتن را ترش و غمگین ساخت او ** نردهای بازگونه باخت او

He made himself out to be bitterly annoyed and grieved, he played (with) reversed dice.

گفتشان شاه مرا بفریفتید ** از خیانت وز طمع نشکیفتید

He said to them, “Ye have deceived my King, ye have not refrained from treachery and covetousness.

سوی میدان شاه را انگیختید ** آب روی شاه ما را ریختید

Ye roused the King (to go) towards the maydán, ye let our King's honour go to waste.

دست بر سینه زدیت اندر ضمان ** شاه را ما فارغ آریم از غمان

Ye put your hands on your breasts in warrant, saying, ‘We will set the King free from cares.’”

شاه هم بشنید و گفت ای خاینان ** من بر آویزم شما را بی امان 920

The King too heard (how the astrologers excused themselves) and said, “O traitors, I will hang you up without quarter.

خویش را در مضحکه انداختم ** مالها با دشمنان در باختم

I exposed myself to derision, I squandered riches on my enemies,

تا که امشب جمله اسرائیلیان ** دور ماندند از ملاقات زنان

To the end that to-night all the Israelites might remain far away from meeting with their wives.

مال رفت و آب رو و کار خام ** این بود یاری و افعال کرام

Wealth and honour are gone, and all is done in vain: is this (true) friendship and (are these) the deeds of the noble?

سالها ادرار و خلعت می‌برید ** مملکتها را مسلم می‌خورید

For years ye have been taking stipends and robes of honour and devouring kingdoms as ye pleased.

رایتان این بود و فرهنگ و نجوم ** طبل‌خوارانید و مکارید و شوم 925

Was this (the only result of) your judgement and wisdom and astrology? Ye are lickspittles and deceivers and ill-omened.

من شما را بر درم و آتش زنم ** بینی و گوش و لبانتان بر کنم

I will rend you to pieces and set you ablaze, I will tear off your noses and ears and lips.