Rumi's Masnavi - So that there may not remain a single Christian in the world, neither one whose religion is manifest nor one who is concealed.”

So that there may not remain a single Christian in the world, neither one whose religion is manifest nor one who is concealed.”

تا نماند در جهان نصرانیی ** نی هویدا دین و نی پنهانیی‌‌

“O king,” said he, “cut off my ears and hands, rip my nose and lips by bitter (cruel) decree;

گفت ای شه گوش و دستم را ببر ** بینی‌‌ام بشکاف و لب در حکم مر

Then bring me under the gallows, that an intercessor may plead for me. 345

بعد از آن در زیر دار آور مرا ** تا بخواهد یک شفاعت‌‌گر مرا

Do this deed in the place for (public) proclamation, on a highway where roads run in four directions.

بر منادی گاه کن این کار تو ** بر سر راهی که باشد چار سو

Then banish me from thy presence to a distant land, that I may cast mischief and confusion amongst them.

آن گهم از خود بران تا شهر دور ** تا در اندازم در ایشان شر و شور

How the vizier brought the Christians into doubt and perplexity.

تلبیس وزیر با نصارا

Then I will say (to them), ‘I am secretly a Christian. O God who knowest (all) things hidden, Thou knowest me.

پس بگویم من به سر نصرانی‌‌ام ** ای خدای راز دان می‌‌دانی‌‌ام‌‌

The king was informed of my (Christian) faith and from bigotry sought to take my life.

شاه واقف گشت از ایمان من ** وز تعصب کرد قصد جان من‌‌

I wished to hide my religion from the king and profess his religion, 350

خواستم تا دین ز شه پنهان کنم ** آن که دین اوست ظاهر آن کنم‌‌

(But) the king got a scent of my inmost beliefs, and my words were suspected (when I stood) before the king.

شاه بویی برد از اسرار من ** متهم شد پیش شه گفتار من‌‌

He said, “Your words are like a needle in bread (specious but pernicious); there is a window between my heart and yours.

گفت گفت تو چو در نان سوزن است ** از دل من تا دل تو روزن است‌‌