رفتنم سوی نماز و آن خلا ** بهر تعلیمست ره مر خلق را
My going to prayer and to that solitude is for the purpose of teaching the people the Way.
کژ نهم تا راست گردد این جهان ** حرب خدعه این بود ای پهلوان2410
I put (things) crooked in order that this world may become straight”: this is (the meaning of) “War is deceit,” O paladin.
نیست دستوری و گر نه ریختی ** گرد از دریای راز انگیختی
There is not permission (for me to say more); otherwise, he (David) would have poured out (the whole matter) and would have raised dust from the sea of the mystery.
همچنین داود می‌گفت این نسق ** خواست گشتن عقل خلقان محترق
David went on speaking in this tenor, (so that) the under standing of the people was on the point of being burned up.
پس گریبانش کشید از پس یکی ** که ندارم در یکیی‌اش شکی
Then some one pulled his collar from behind, saying, “I have not any doubt as to His unity.”
با خود آمد گفت را کوتاه کرد ** لب ببست و عزم خلوتگاه کرد
(Thereupon) he came to himself, cut short his discourse, closed his lips, and set out for the place where he was alone.
در خلوت رفتن داود تا آنچ حقست پیدا شود
How David went into seclusion in order that the truth might be made manifest.
در فرو بست و برفت آنگه شتاب ** سوی محراب و دعای مستجاب2415
He shut the door, and then went quickly to the prayer-niche and (betook himself to) the invocation that is answered (by God).
حق نمودش آنچ بنمودش تمام ** گشت واقف بر سزای انتقام
God revealed the entire matter to him’ he became aware of him that was (really) deserving of punishment.
روز دیگر جمله خصمان آمدند ** پیش داود پیمبر صف زدند
Next day all the litigants came and formed ranks before David.
همچنان آن ماجراها باز رفت ** زود زد آن مدعی تشنیع زفت
Thus the questions (left) in dispute came up again: the plain tiff at once uttered violent reproaches.
حکم کردن داود بر صاحب گاو کی از سر گاو برخیز و تشنیع صاحب گاو بر داود علیه السلام
How David gave judgement against the owner of the cow, bidding him withdraw from the case concerning the cow; and how the owner of the cow reproached David, on whom be peace.
گفت داودش خمش کن رو بهل ** این مسلمان را ز گاوت کن بحل
David said to him, “Be silent! Go, abandon (your claim), and acquit this Moslem of (responsibility for) your cow.
چون خدا پوشید بر تو ای جوان ** رو خمش کن حق ستاری بدان2420
Inasmuch as God has thrown a veil over you (concealed your guilt), O youth, depart and keep silence and acknowledge the obligation of (giving thanks to God for His) concealment.”
گفت وا ویلی چه حکمست این چه داد ** از پی من شرع نو خواهی نهاد
He cried, “Oh, woe is me! What judgement is this, what justice? Wilt thou establish a new law on my account?
رفته است آوازه‌ی عدلت چنان ** که معطر شد زمین و آسمان
The fame of thy justice has gone so far that earth and heaven have become fragrant (with the scent thereof).
بر سگان کور این استم نرفت ** زین تعدی سنگ و که بشکافت تفت
This wrong has never been done (even) to blind dogs; rock and mountain are burst asunder of a sudden by this iniquity.”
همچنین تشنیع می‌زد برملا ** کالصلا هنگام ظلمست الصلا
In such fashion was he uttering reproaches publicly, crying, “Hark ye, ‘tis the time of injustice, hark ye!”
حکم کردن داود بر صاحب گاو کی جمله مال خود را به وی ده
How David pronounced sentence against the owner of the cow, saying, “Give him (the defendant) the whole of your property.”
بعد از آن داود گفتش کای عنود ** جمله مال خویش او را بخش زود2425
After that, David said to him, “O contumacious man, give the whole of your wealth to him immediately;
ورنه کارت سخت گردد گفتمت ** تا نگردد ظاهر از وی استمت
Otherwise, your plight will become grievous. I tell you (this) in order that your crime may not be made manifest through him.”
خاک بر سر کرد و جامه بر درید ** که بهر دم می‌کنی ظلمی مزید
He put dust on his head and tore his raiment, crying, “At every instant thou art adding an injury.”
یک‌دمی دیگر برین تشنیع راند ** باز داودش به پیش خویش خواند
Once more he went on in this (strain of) reproach; then David called him to his presence,
گفت چون بختت نبود ای بخت‌کور ** ظلمت آمد اندک اندک در ظهور
And said, “Since ‘twas not your fortune (to be saved), O you whose fortune is blind, little by little your wickedness has come to light.
ریده‌ای آنگاه صدر و پیشگاه ** ای دریغ از چون تو خر خاشاک و کاه2430
Cacavisti, then (you advance to) the high seat and the place of honour. Oh, may sticks and straw be withheld from such an ass as you are! [You have defecated (in a filthy manner), then (you advance to) the high seat and the place of honour. Oh, may sticks and straw be withheld from such an ass as you are!]
رو که فرزندان تو با جفت تو ** بندگان او شدند افزون مگو
Begone! Your children and your wife have (now) become his slaves. Say no more!”
سنگ بر سینه همی‌زد با دو دست ** می‌دوید از جهل خود بالا و پست
He (the plaintiff) was dashing stones against his breast with both hands and running up and down in his folly.
خلق هم اندر ملامت آمدند ** کز ضمیر کار او غافل بدند
The people too began to blame (David), for they were unaware of the hidden (circumstances) of his (the plaintiff’s) action.
ظالم از مظلوم کی داند کسی ** کو بود سخره‌ی هوا همچون خسی
How should one that is subject, like a straw, to (the wind of) sensuality know the oppressor from the oppressed?
ظالم از مظلوم آنکس پی برد ** کو سر نفس ظلوم خود برد2435
He that cuts off the head of his wicked self—he (alone) finds the way to (discriminating) the oppressor from the oppressed.
ورنه آن ظالم که نفس است از درون ** خصم هر مظلوم باشد از جنون
Otherwise, that oppressor, which is the fleshly soul within (us), (being moved) by frenzy, is the adversary of every oppressed person.
سگ هماره حمله بر مسکین کند ** تا تواند زخم بر مسکین زند
A dog always attacks the poor; so far as it can, it inflicts wounds upon the poor.
شرم شیران راست نه سگ را بدان ** که نگیرد صید از همسایگان
Know that lions feel shame, (but) not dogs, because he (the lion) does not prey on his neighbours.
عامه‌ی مظلوم‌کش ظالم‌پرست ** از کمین سگشان سوی داود جست
The mob, which slays the oppressed and worships the oppressor—their dog (carnal soul) sprang forth from ambush (and rushed) towards David.
روی در داود کردند آن فریق ** کای نبی مجتبی بر ما شفیق2440
That party (of the people) turned their faces to David, saying, “O chosen prophet, who hast compassion on us,
این نشاید از تو کین ظلمیست فاش ** قهر کردی بی‌گناهی را بلاش
This is unworthy of thee, for this is a manifest injustice: thou hast abased an innocent man for naught.”
عزم کردن داود علیه السلام به خواندن خلق بدان صحرا کی راز آشکارا کند و حجتها را همه قطع کند
How David, on whom be peace, resolved to summon the people to a certain plain, in older that he might disclose the mystery and make an end of all arguments.
گفت ای یاران زمان آن رسید ** کان سر مکتوم او گردد پدید
He said, “O friends, the time has come that his hidden secret should he displayed.
جمله برخیزید تا بیرون رویم ** تا بر آن سر نهان واقف شویم
Arise,all(of you), that we may go forth, so that we may be come acquainted with that hidden secret.
در فلان صحرا درختی هست زفت ** شاخهااش انبه و بسیار و چفت
In such and such a plain there is a huge tree, its boughs dense and numerous and curved.
سخت راسخ خیمه‌گاه و میخ او ** بوی خون می‌آیدم از بیخ او2445
Its tent and tent-pegs are very firm; from its roots the smell of blood is coining to me.
خون شدست اندر بن آن خوش درخت ** خواجه راکشتست این منحوس‌بخت
Murder has been done at the bottom of that goodly tree: this man of sinister fortune has killed his master.
تا کنون حلم خدا پوشید آن ** آخر از ناشکری آن قلتبان
The clemency, of God has concealed that (crime) till now, (but) at last.(it has come to ‘light) through the ingratitude of that scoundrel,
که عیال خواجه را روزی ندید ** نه بنوروز و نه موسمهای عید
Who never a single day looked upon his master’s family, not (even) at Nawróz and (other) seasons of festival,
بی‌نوایان را به یک لقمه نجست ** یاد ناورد او ز حقهای نخست
And never ‘searched after the destitute (children, to relieve their want) with a single morsel of food, or bethought him of the former obligations (which he had received),
تا کنون از بهر یک گاو این لعین ** می‌زند فرزند او را در زمین2450
(And so continued), till for the sake of a cow this accursed wretch is now felling his (master’s) son’ to the earth.
او بخود برداشت پرده از گناه ** ورنه می‌پوشید جرمش را اله
He, of himself, has lifted the veil from his crime; else God would have concealed his sin.”
کافر و فاسق درین دور گزند ** پرده خود را بخود بر می‌درند
In this cycle of woe the infidel and the profligate rend their veils of their own accord.
ظلم مستورست در اسرار جان ** می‌نهد ظالم بپیش مردمان
Wrong is covered (from sight) in the inmost thoughts of the soul: the wrong-doer exposes it to men,
که ببینیدم که دارم شاخها ** گاو دوزخ را ببینید از ملا
Saying, “Behold me! I have horns! Behold the cow of Hell in full view!”
گواهی دادن دست و پا و زبان بر سر ظالم هم در دنیا
How hands and feet and tongue give evidence concerning the secret of the wicked, even in this world.
پس همینجا دست و پایت در گزند ** بر ضمیر تو گواهی می‌دهند2455
Even here, then, your hands and feet, in (doing) harm, bear witness to your conscience.
چون موکل می‌شود برتو ضمیر ** که بگو تو اعتقادت وا مگیر
Since your (evil) conscience becomes (as) an overseer to you and says, “Speak! Do not keep back your belief,”
خاصه در هنگام خشم و گفت و گو ** می‌کند ظاهر سرت را مو بمو
And, especially at times of anger and quarrelling, makes manifest your secret thought, hair by hair;
چون موکل می‌شود ظلم و جفا ** که هویدا کن مرا ای دست و پا
Since wrong and injustice become your overseer and say, “Display me, O hands and feet,”