گفت این ایمان اگر هست ای مرید ** آنک دارد شیخ عالم بایزید
He replied, “If this Faith (of thine), O disciple, is (the same as) that which is held by Báyazíd, the Shaykh (spiritual Director) of the world,
من ندارم طاقت آن تاب آن ** که آن فزون آمد ز کوششهای جان
I cannot endure the glowing heat thereof, which is too great for (all) the strivings of my soul (to attain unto it).
گرچه در ایمان و دین ناموقنم ** لیک در ایمان او بس مؤمنم 3360
Although I feel no certainty as regards the Faith and Religion (of Islam), yet I believe mightily in his Faith.
دارم ایمان که آن ز جمله برترست ** بس لطیف و با فروغ و با فرست
I hold the faith that that (Faith of his) is higher than all (others): ’tis very beautiful, resplendent, and glorious.
مؤمن ایمان اویم در نهان ** گرچه مهرم هست محکم بر دهان
Inwardly I am a believer in his Faith, though a seal is set firmly on my mouth.
باز ایمان خود گر ایمان شماست ** نه بدان میلستم و نه مشتهاست
Again, if indeed the Faith (which thou wouldst have me embrace) is your Faith, I have no inclination or desire for it.
آنک صد میلش سوی ایمان بود ** چون شما را دید آن فاتر شود
He that feels a hundred inclinations to believe—that (inclination) languishes as soon as he sees you (Moslems),
زانک نامی بیند و معنیش نی ** چون بیابان را مفازه گفتنی 3365
Because he sees a (mere) name and no meaning in it, like calling the desert mafáza (a safe place).
عشق او ز آورد ایمان بفسرد ** چون به ایمان شما او بنگرد
When he looks upon your Faith, his love is chilled (and shrinks) from professing it.”
حکایت آن مذن زشت آواز کی در کافرستان بانگ نماز داد و مرد کافری او را هدیه داد
Story of the harsh-voiced muezzin who called (the Moslems) to prayer in the land of the infidels and to whom a certain infidel offered presents.
یک مذن داشت بس آواز بد ** در میان کافرستان بانگ زد
A certain muezzin had a very harsh voice: he called (the Moslems to prayer) in the land of the infidels.
چند گفتندش مگو بانگ نماز ** که شود جنگ و عداوتها دراز
They said to him several times, “Do not give the call to prayer, for (otherwise) fighting and acts of hostility (against us) will be prolonged.”
او ستیزه کرد و پس بی‌احتراز ** گفت در کافرستان بانگ نماز
He defied (them), and then without showing (any) caution he gave the call to prayer in the land of the infidels.
خلق خایف شد ز فتنه‌ی عامه‌ای ** خود بیامد کافری با جامه‌ای 3370
The (Moslem) folk were in fear of a general insurrection; however, an infidel came up (to them) with a robe.
شمع و حلوا با چنان جامه‌ی لطیف ** هدیه آورد و بیامد چون الیف
He brought (with him) candles and halwá and such a (fine) robe as gifts, and approached in a friendly manner,
پرس پرسان کین مذن کو کجاست ** که صلا و بانگ او راحت‌فزاست
Asking again and again, “Tell me, where is this muezzin, whose call and cry increases my pleasure?”
هین چه راحت بود زان آواز زشت ** گفت که آوازش فتاد اندر کنشت
“Eh, what pleasure was there from such a harsh voice?” He replied, “His voice penetrated into the church.
دختری دارم لطیف و بس سنی ** آرزو می‌بود او را مؤمنی
I have a comely daughter of very high estate: she was desiring (to marry) a true believer.
هیچ این سودا نمی‌رفت از سرش ** پندها می‌داد چندین کافرش 3375
Never would this passion go out of her head, (though) so many infidels were exhorting her.
در دل او مهر ایمان رسته بود ** هم‌چو مجمر بود این غم من چو عود
Love of the Faith had grown up in her heart: this grief was like a censer and I like the aloes-wood (burning in it).
در عذاب و درد و اشکنجه بدم ** که بجنبد سلسله‌ی او دم به دم
I was in torment and anguish and continually on the rack lest her passion should lead her (to embrace Islam).
هیچ چاره می‌ندانستم در آن ** تا فرو خواند این مذن آن اذان
I knew no remedy for it until this muezzin chanted the adhán (call to prayer).
گفت دختر چیست این مکروه بانگ ** که بگوشم آمد این دو چار دانگ
(Then) my daughter said, ‘What is this detestable noise? It grates on my ear.
من همه عمر این چنین آواز زشت ** هیچ نشنیدم درین دیر و کنشت 3380
Never in all my life have I heard such a harsh voice in this Christian convent and church.’
خوهرش گفتا که این بانگ اذان ** هست اعلام و شعار مومنان
Her sister said to her, ‘This chant, namely the adhán, gives (the Moslems) notice (of prayer-time) and is the watchword of the Faithful.’
باورش نامد بپرسید از دگر ** آن دگر هم گفت آری ای پدر
She would not believe it, and asked some one else: that person too said, ‘Yes, (it is true), O father.’
چون یقین گشتش رخ او زرد شد ** از مسلمانی دل او سرد شد
When she became sure (of this), her face turned pale and her heart grew cold (averse) to Islam.
باز رستم من ز تشویش و عذاب ** دوش خوش خفتم در آن بی‌خوف خواب
I was delivered from anxiety and torment: last night I slept sound in a peaceful sleep.
راحتم این بود از آواز او ** هدیه آوردم به شکر آن مرد کو 3385
This was the pleasure (that came) to me from his voice: in gratitude I bring (these) gifts: where is the man?”
چون بدیدش گفت این هدیه پذیر ** که مرا گشتی مجیر و دستگیر
When he saw him (the muezzin), he said, “Accept the gift, for thou hast been my protector and saviour.
آنچ کردی با من از احسان و بر ** بنده‌ی تو گشته‌ام من مستمر
(On account of) the benefit and kindness that thou hast done to me, I have become thy slave perpetually.
گر به مال و ملک و ثروت فردمی ** من دهانت را پر از زر کردمی
If I were eminent in respect of property, possessions, and riches, I would fill thy mouth with gold.”
هست ایمان شما زرق و مجاز ** راه‌زن هم‌چون که آن بانگ نماز
“The Faith of you (Moslems) is hypocrisy and falsehood: like that call to prayer, it waylays (the seeker and prevents him from embracing Islam);
لیک از ایمان و صدق بایزید ** چند حسرت در دل و جانم رسید 3390
But many a regret has come into my heart and soul from (my admiration for) the Faith and sincerity of Báyazíd.”
هم‌چو آن زن کو جماع خر بدید ** گفت آوه چیست این فحل فرید
Tanquam illa femina quae, cum concubitum asini videret, dixit: “Eheu, quid est hic admissarius egregius? [Just like that woman who observed sexual intercourse with the ass, she said (to herself): “Oh, what is this incomparable stallion?]
گر جماع اینست بردند این خران ** بر کس ما می‌ریند این شوهران
Si concubitus hoc est, hi asini (praemium) abstulerunt: cacant super vulvis nostris hi mariti.” [If sexual intercourse is (like) this, these asses have won (the prize): these husbands (just) defecate on our vulvas.”]
داد جمله داد ایمان بایزید ** آفرینها بر چنین شیر فرید
Báyazíd paid all that is due to (fulfilled every obligation of) the Faith: blessings be on such a peerless lion!
قطره‌ای ز ایمانش در بحر ار رود ** بحر اندر قطره‌اش غرقه شود
If a single drop of his Faith enter into the ocean, the ocean will be submerged in his drop,
هم‌چو ز آتش ذره‌ای در بیشه‌ها ** اندر آن ذره شود بیشه فنا 3395
As (when) a mote of fire (falls) amidst forests, the (whole) forest passes away in that mote;
چون خیالی در دل شه یا سپاه ** کرد اندر جنگ خصمان را تباه
(Or) as (when) a phantasy (appears) in the heart of a king or his army, (a phantasy which) destroyed his enemies in war.
یک ستاره در محمد رخ نمود ** تا فنا شد گوهر گبر و جهود
A star (of Divine illumination) appeared in Mohammed, so that the substance of (the beliefs of) Magian and Jew passed away.
آنک ایمان یافت رفت اندر امان ** کفرهای باقیان شد دو گمان
He that received the Faith entered into security; the infidelities of the rest became (a matter on which there were) two opinions.
کفر صرف اولین باری نماند ** یا مسلمانی و یا بیمی نشاند
At any rate, their first pure (entire) unbelief did not remain (with them): it (the star of Mohammed) planted (in them) either (formal acceptance of) Islam or a (great) dread (of it).
این به حیله آب و روغن کردنیست ** این مثلها کفو ذره‌ی نور نیست 3400
This (description of the Faith of Báyazíd) is a (mere) makeshift varnishing: these similes are not equivalent to the mote of (Divine light).
ذره نبود جز حقیری منجسم ** ذره نبود شارق لا ینقسم
A mote is only a paltry bodily thing: a mote is not the indivisible Sun.
گفتن ذره مرادی دان خفی ** محرم دریا نه‌ای این دم کفی
Know that (my) calling it (the Sun) a mote has a purpose hidden (from thee, for) thou art not familiar with the Sea: at present thou art (but) the foam.
آفتاب نیر ایمان شیخ ** گر نماید رخ ز شرق جان شیخ
If the luminous sun of the Shaykh's Faith should display itself from the Orient of the Shaykh's spirit,
جمله پستی گنج گیرد تا ثری ** جمله بالا خلد گیرد اخضری
All below, down to the moist clay (beneath the earth's crust), would gain (abundant) treasure, and all above would gain a verdant Paradise.
او یکی جان دارد از نور منیر ** او یکی تن دارد از خاک حقیر 3405
He hath a spirit of resplendent light, he hath a body of despicable earth.
ای عجب اینست او یا آن بگو ** که بماندم اندرین مشکل عمو
Oh, I wonder whether he is this or that. Tell (me), uncle, for I am left (helpless) in this difficulty.
گر وی اینست ای برادر چیست آن ** پر شده از نور او هفت آسمان
O brother, if he is this, (then) what is that?—for the Seven Heavens are filled with its light—