How did you make all this poison an antidote? How did you deem this cruelty to be kindness?
نوش چون کردی تو چندین زهر را ** لطف چون انگاشتی این قهر را
What patience is this? For what reason is this great fortitude? Or, perchance, in your opinion this life of yours is an enemy (which you would fain destroy).
این چه صبر است این صبوری از چه روست ** یا مگر پیش تو این جانت عدوست
Why did not you cunningly bring (forward) a plea, saying, ‘I have an excuse (for declining to eat): desist for a while’.”
چون نیاوردی به حیلت حجتی ** که مرا عذری است بس کن ساعتی
Luqmán said, “From thy munificent hand I have eaten so much that I am (bent) double with shame.
گفت من از دست نعمت بخش تو ** خوردهام چندان که از شرمم دو تو
I was ashamed not to eat one bitter thing from thy hand, O thou who art possessed of knowledge.1525
شرمم آمد که یکی تلخ از کفت ** من ننوشم ای تو صاحب معرفت
Since all parts of me have grown from thy bounty and are plunged in thy bait and snare—
چون همه اجزام از انعام تو ** رستهاند و غرق دانه و دام تو
If I make outcry and complaint because of one bitter thing, may the dust of a hundred roads be on (all) parts of me!
گر ز یک تلخی کنم فریاد و داد ** خاک صد ره بر سر اجزام باد
It (the melon) had the enjoyment of thy sugar-bestowing hand: how could it (such enjoyment) leave any bitterness in this melon?”
لذت دست شکر بخشت بداشت ** اندر این بطیخ تلخی کی گذاشت
By love bitter things become sweet; by love pieces of copper become golden;
از محبت تلخها شیرین شود ** از محبت مسها زرین شود
By love dregs become clear; by love pains become healing;1530