From their sown fields arose famine and death on account of the locusts which devoured the leaves,
از مزارعشان برآمد قحط و مرگ ** از ملخهایی که می‌خوردند برگ
Till from Moses, when he considered the ultimate issue, there went up involuntarily a prayer (to God)
تا بر آمد بی‌خود از موسی دعا ** چون نظر افتادش اندر منتها
“For what reason is all this disablement (of them) and striving (to convert them), since this multitude will never become righteous? ”
کین همه اعجاز و کوشیدن چراست ** چون نخواهند این جماعت گشت راست
The (Divine) command came (to him), saying, “Follow Noah! Refrain from considering the end (of the matter) as it has been disclosed (to thee).
امر آمد که اتباع نوح کن ** ترک پایان‌بینی مشروح کن
Take no heed of that, since thou art one who calls (the people) to the (true) Way. The command, ‘Deliver the message,’ is there: it is not void (of meaning).”3585
زان تغافل کن چو داعی رهی ** امر بلغ هست نبود آن تهی
The least purpose (thereof) is that through this persistence of thine that obstinacy and rebellious pride (of the infidels) may be displayed,
کمترین حکمت کزین الحاح تو ** جلوه گردد آن لجاج و آن عتو
So that God’s showing the way (to some) and letting (others) be lost may become evident to all the followers of religious sects.
تا که ره بنمودن و اضلال حق ** فاش گردد بر همه اهل و فرق
Inasmuch as the object of existence was the manifestation (of these two Divine attributes), it must be tested by means of exhorting (to obedience) and leading astray.
چونک مقصود از وجود اظهار بود ** بایدش از پند و اغوا آزمود
The Devil persists to (seducing to) error; the Shaykh persists in guiding aright.
دیو الحاح غوایت می‌کند ** شیخ‌الحاح هدایت می‌کند
When that grievous command (of God) proceeded step by step (pursued its course), the whole Nile was turned into blood from end to end,3590
چون پیاپی گشت آن امر شجون ** نیل می‌آمد سراسر جمله خون