گفت که نسبت مر از خاکدانش ** نام اصلم کمترین بندگانش

“My lineage,” he said, “(is derived) from His dust-pit; my original name is ‘the meanest of His slaves.’

بنده‌زاده‌ی آن خداوند وحید ** زاده از پشت جواری و عبید

I am the slave-born (slave) of that unique Lord—born of the (womb and) loins of slaves female and male.

نسبت اصلم ز خاک و آب و گل ** آب و گل را داد یزدان جان و دل

My original lineage (is derived) from earth and water and clay: God gave unto water and clay a soul and heart.

مرجع این جسم خاکم هم به خاک ** مرجع تو هم به خاک ای سهمناک

To earth also will return this earthen body of mine; to earth thou likewise wilt return, O terrible one.

اصل ما و اصل جمله سرکشان ** هست از خاکی و آن را صد نشان 2315

Our origin and the origin of all the proud is from a piece of earth, and (there are) a hundred signs thereof;

که مدد از خاک می‌گیرد تنت ** از غذایی خاک پیچد گردنت

For thy body receives support (sustenance) from the earth, and from earthly nutriment thy neck is wrapped in folds (of flesh).

چون رود جان می‌شود او باز خاک ** اندر آن گور مخوف سهمناک

When the spirit departs, it (the body) will again become earth in the dreaded and horrible grave.

هم تو و هم ما و هم اشباه تو ** خاک گردند و نماند جاه تو

Both thou and we and all who resemble thee will become earth, and thy power will remain no more.”

گفت غیر این نسب نامیت هست ** مر ترا آن نام خود اولیترست

He (Pharaoh) said, “Thou hast a name other than this lineage: truly that name is more proper for thee—

بنده‌ی فرعون و بنده‌ی بندگانش ** که ازو پرورد اول جسم و جانش 2320

‘Slave of Pharaoh and slave of his slaves,’ (a slave) whose body and soul were first nurtured by him (Pharaoh),

بنده‌ی یاغی طاغی ظلوم ** زین وطن بگریخته از فعل شوم

A hostile, insolent and unrighteous slave, who fled from this country on account of an ill-omened deed.

خونی و غداری و حق‌ناشناس ** هم برین اوصاف خود می‌کن قیاس

Thou art a murderer and treacherous and ungrateful: from just these qualities, forsooth, form a judgement (as to the rest).

در غریبی خوار و درویش و خلق ** که ندانستی سپاس ما و حق

(Thou art) in exile, despised and poor and threadbare, since thou didst not acknowledge gratitude and obligation to me.”

گفت حاشا که بود با آن ملیک ** در خداوندی کسی دیگر شریک

He (Moses) said, “Far be it that any other person should be a partner in Lordship with that King.

واحد اندر ملک او را یار نی ** بندگانش را جز او سالار نی 2325

(He is) One: He hath no associate in Kingship; His slaves have no master but Him.

نیست خلقش را دگر کس مالکی ** شرکتش دعوی کند جز هالکی

His creatures have no other owner: does any one claim partnership with Him except one that is doomed to perish?

نقش او کردست و نقاش من اوست ** غیر اگر دعوی کند او ظلم‌جوست

He hath made the design, He is my Designer; if another lay claim (to it), he is a seeker of iniquity.

تو نتوانی ابروی من ساختن ** چون توانی جان من بشناختن

Thou canst not fashion my eyebrow: how canst thou know my soul?

بلک آن غدار و آن طاغی توی ** که کنی با حق دعوی دوی

Nay, ’tis thou who art the traitor and the insolent one, for thou claimest duality with God.

گر بکشتم من عوانی را به سهو ** نه برای نفس کشتم نه به لهو 2330

If I inadvertently killed a ruffian, I killed (him) neither for self's sake nor in sport.

من زدم مشتی و ناگاه اوفتاد ** آنک جانش خود نبد جانی بداد

I struck (him) a blow with my fist, and he suddenly fell: one who really had no soul gave up a soul.

من سگی کشتم تو مرسل‌زادگان ** صدهزاران طفل بی‌جرم و زیان

I killed a cur: thou the children of him who was sent (by God)—hundreds of thousands of innocent and harmless babes—

کشته‌ای و خونشان در گردنت ** تا چه آید بر تو زین خون خوردنت

Hast killed, and their blood is on thy neck: consider what shall come upon thee because of this blood-drinking of thine.

کشته‌ای ذریت یعقوب را ** بر امید قتل من مطلوب را

Thou hast killed the progeny of Jacob—those sought after in hope of slaying me.

کوری تو حق مرا خود برگزید ** سرنگون شد آنچ نفست می‌پزید 2335

In despite of thee God Himself chose me out: that (plot) which thy soul was concocting was overthrown.”