شاه را گفتند او را حجره‌ایست ** اندر آنجا زر و سیم و خمره‌ایست
They (his rivals) said to the King (Mahmúd), “He has a chamber, and in it there is gold and silver and a jar (of treasure).
راه می‌ندهد کسی را اندرو ** بسته می‌دارد همیشه آن در او 1860
He admits no one into it: he always keeps the door locked.”
شاه فرمود ای عجب آن بنده را ** چیست خود پنهان و پوشیده ز ما
The King said, “Oh, I wonder what in sooth that servant (of mine) has that is hidden and concealed from me.”
پس اشارت کرد میری را که رو ** نیم‌شب بگشای و اندر حجره شو
Then he gave orders to a certain Amír, saying, “Go at midnight and open (the door) and enter the room.
هر چه یابی مر ترا یغماش کن ** سر او را بر ندیمان فاش کن
Whatever you find is yours: plunder him, expose his secret to the courtiers.
با چنین اکرام و لطف بی‌عدد ** از لیمی سیم و زر پنهان کند
Notwithstanding such innumerable kindnesses and favours (as I have bestowed upon him), does he meanly hide silver and gold (from me)?
می‌نماید او وفا و عشق و جوش ** وانگه او گندم‌نمای جوفروش 1865
He professes loyalty and love and enthusiasm—and then (after all) he is one who shows wheat and sells barley!
هر که اندر عشق یابد زندگی ** کفر باشد پیش او جز بندگی
To any one who finds life in love, aught but (devoted) service would seem infidelity.”
نیم‌شب آن میر با سی معتمد ** در گشاد حجره‌ی او رای زد
At midnight the Amír with thirty trusted (officers) set out to open his chamber,
مشعله بر کرده چندین پهلوان ** جانب حجره روانه شادمان
And all these valiant men, carrying torches, moved joyfully in that direction,
که امر سلطانست بر حجره زنیم ** هر یکی همیان زر در کش کنیم
Saying, “’Tis the Sultan's command: let us raid the room and each of us pocket a purse of gold.”
آن یکی می‌گفت هی چه جای زر ** از عقیق و لعل گوی و از گهر 1870
“Hey!” cried one of them, “why trouble about gold?” Talk (rather) of cornelians and rubies and (all sorts of) jewels.
خاص خاص مخزن سلطان ویست ** بلک اکنون شاه را خود جان ویست
He is the most privileged (keeper) of the Sultan's treasury: nay, he is now (as dear) to the King (as) life itself.”
چه محل دارد به پیش این عشیق ** لعل و یاقوت و زمرد یا عقیق
What worth should rubies and corundums and emeralds or cornelians possess in the eyes of this man (so) beloved (of the King)?
شاه را بر وی نبودی بد گمان ** تسخری می‌کرد بهر امتحان
The King had no evil thoughts of him: he was (only) making a mock (of the courtiers) by way of trial.
پاک می‌دانستش از هر غش و غل ** باز از وهمش همی‌لرزید دل
He knew him to be free from all deceitfulness and guile; (yet) again his heart was shaken with misgiving,
که مبادا کین بود خسته شود ** من نخواهم که برو خجلت رود 1875
Lest this (charge) might be (true) and he (Ayáz) should be wounded (in his feelings). “I do not wish,” (he said), “that shame should come over him.
این نکردست او و گر کرد او رواست ** هر چه خواهد گو بکن محبوب ماست
He has not done this thing; and if he has, ’tis right: let him do whatever he will, (for) he is my beloved.
هر چه محبوبم کند من کرده‌ام ** او منم من او چه گر در پرده‌ام
Whatever my beloved may do, ’tis I have done (it). I am he, he is I: what (matter) though I am (hidden from view) in the veil?”
باز گفتی دور از آن خو و خصال ** این چنین تخلیط ژاژست و خیال
Again he would say, “He is far removed from this disposition and (these bad) qualities: such wild accusations (on their part) are (mere) drivel and fancy.
از ایاز این خود محالست و بعید ** کو یکی دریاست قعرش ناپدید
(That) this (should proceed) from Ayáz is absurd and incredible, for he is an ocean whereof none can see the bottom.”
هفت دریا اندرو یک قطره‌ای ** جمله‌ی هستی ز موجش چکره‌ای 1880
The Seven Seas are (but) a drop in it: the whole of existence is (but) a driblet of its waves.
جمله پاکیها از آن دریا برند ** قطره‌هااش یک به یک میناگرند
All purities are fetched from that ocean: its drops, every one, are alchemists.
شاه شاهانست و بلک شاه‌ساز ** وز برای چشم بد نامش ایاز
He is the King of kings; nay, he is the King-maker, though on account of the evil eye his name is “Ayáz.”
چشمهای نیک هم بر وی به دست ** از ره غیرت که حسنش بی‌حدست
Even the good eyes are evil to him in respect of (their) jealousy, for his beauty is infinite.