Rumi's Masnavi - He said within himself, “O God, help, I beseech thee! The Inspector has fallen upon a poor old harper.”

He said within himself, “O God, help, I beseech thee! The Inspector has fallen upon a poor old harper.”

گفت در باطن خدایا از تو داد ** محتسب بر پیرکی چنگی فتاد

When ‘Umar looked on the old man's countenance, he saw him ashamed and pale.

چون نظر اندر رخ آن پیر کرد ** دید او را شرمسار و روی زرد

Then ‘Umar said to him, “Fear not, do not flee from me, for I have brought thee glad tidings from God.

پس عمر گفتش مترس از من مرم ** کت بشارتها ز حق آورده‌‌ام‌‌

How often has God praised thy disposition, so that He has made ‘Umar in love with thy face! 2180

چند یزدان مدحت خوی تو کرد ** تا عمر را عاشق روی تو کرد

Sit down beside me and do not make separation (between us), that I may say into thine ear the secret (message) from (the Divine) favour.

پیش من بنشین و مهجوری مساز ** تا به گوشت گویم از اقبال راز

God sends thee greeting and asks thee how thou farest in thy distress and boundless sorrows.

حق سلامت می‌‌کند می‌‌پرسدت ** چونی از رنج و غمان بی‌‌حدت‌‌

Lo, here are some pieces of gold to pay for silk. Spend them and come back to this place.”

نک قراضه‌‌ی چند ابریشم بها ** خرج کن این را و باز اینجا بیا

The old man trembled when he heard this, biting his hand and quivering all over,

پیر لرزان گشت چون این را شنید ** دست می‌‌خایید و بر خود می‌‌تپید

Crying, “O God who hast no like!” inasmuch as the poor old man was melted with shame. 2185

بانگ می‌‌زد کای خدای بی‌‌نظیر ** بس که از شرم آب شد بی‌‌چاره پیر

After he had wept long and his grief had gone beyond (all) bounds, he dashed his harp on the earth and broke it to bits.

چون بسی بگریست و از حد رفت درد ** چنگ را زد بر زمین و خرد کرد