شد محمد الپ الغ خوارزمشاه ** در قتال سبزوار پر پناه 845
Mohammed Alp Ulugh Khwárizmsháh marched to battle against Sabzawár, (the city) full of refuge (for the wicked).
تنگشان آورد لشکرهای او ** اسپهش افتاد در قتل عدو
His troops reduced them (the inhabitants) to straits; his army fell to killing the foe.
سجده آوردند پیشش کالامان ** حلقه‌مان در گوش کن وا بخش جان
They prostrated themselves before him, crying, “Mercy! Make us thy thralls, (but) spare our lives!
هر خراج و صلتی که بایدت ** آن ز ما هر موسمی افزایدت
Whatever thou requirest (in the way of) tribute or presents will come to thee from us with increase (abundantly) at every fixed time (of payment).
جان ما آن توست ای شیرخو ** پیش ما چندی امانت باش گو
Our lives are thine, O lion-natured (prince): let them be on deposit with us for a (little) while.”
گفت نرهانید از من جان خویش ** تا نیاریدم ابوبکری به پیش 850
He replied, “Ye will not save your lives from me unless ye bring an Abú Bakr into my presence.
تا مرا بوبکر نام از شهرتان ** هدیه نارید ای رمیده امتان
Unless ye bring to me as a gift from your city one whose name is Abú Bakr, O people who have fled (from righteousness),
بدرومتان هم‌چو کشت ای قوم دون ** نه خراج استانم و نه هم فسون
I will mow you down like corn, O vile folk: I will accept neither tribute nor blandishments.”
بس جوال زر کشیدندش به راه ** کز چنین شهری ابوبکری مخواه
They offered him many sacks of gold, saying, “Do not demand an Abú Bakr from a city like this.
کی بود بوبکر اندر سبزوار ** یا کلوخ خشک اندر جویبار
How should there be an Abú Bakr in Sabzawár, or a dry sod in the river?”
رو بتابید از زر و گفت ای مغان ** تا نیاریدم ابوبکر ارمغان 855
He averted his face from the gold and said, “O Magians (infidels), unless ye bring me an Abú Bakr as an offering,
هیچ سودی نیست کودک نیستم ** تا به زر و سیم حیران بیستم
’Tis of no avail. I am not a child that I should stand dumbfounded (fascinated) by gold and silver.”
تا نیاری سجده نرهی ای زبون ** گر بپیمایی تو مسجد را به کون
Unless thou prostrate thyself (in humble submission to God), thou wilt not escape (from punishment), O wretch, (even) if thou traverse the (whole) mosque on thy séant.
منهیان انگیختند از چپ و راست ** که اندرین ویرانه بوبکری کجاست
They (the inhabitants of Sabzawár) despatched emissaries, (to inquire) where in this desolate (corrupt) place an Abú Bakr was (to be found).
بعد سه روز و سه شب که اشتافتند ** یک ابوبکری نزاری یافتند
After three days and three nights, during which they made haste (in searching), they found an emaciated Abú Bakr.
ره گذر بود و بمانده از مرض ** در یکی گوشه‌ی خرابه پر حرض 860
He was a wayfarer and, on account of sickness, had remained in the corner of a ruin, in utter exhaustion.
خفته بود او در یکی کنجی خراب ** چون بدیدندش بگفتندش شتاب
He was lying in a ruined nook. When they espied him, they said to him hurriedly,
خیز که سلطان ترا طالب شدست ** کز تو خواهد شهر ما از قتل رست
“Arise! The Sultan has demanded thee: by thee our city will be saved from slaughter.”
گفت اگر پایم بدی یا مقدمی ** خود به راه خود به مقصد رفتمی
He replied, “If I had the foot (power to walk) or any (means of) arrival, I myself would have gone by my own road to my destination.
اندرین دشمن‌کده کی ماندمی ** سوی شهر دوستان می‌راندمی
How should I have remained in this abode of my enemies? I would have pushed on towards the city of my friends.”
تخته‌ی مرده‌کشان بفراشتند ** وان ابوبکر مرا برداشتند 865
They raised the corpse-bearers' board and lifted our Abú Bakr (upon it).
سوی خوارمشاه حمالان کشان ** می‌کشیدندش که تا بیند نشان
The carriers were taking him along to Khwárizmsháh, that he (the Sultan) might behold the token (which he desired).
سبزوارست این جهان و مرد حق ** اندرین جا ضایعست و ممتحق
Sabzawár is this world, and in this place the man of God is wasted and goodfor- naught.