What squeezing of the dragon's tail is this? Dost thou know at all what the announcement (of Mohammed's advent) is (in its effects)?
این چه دم اژدها افشردنست ** هیچ دانی چه خبر آوردنست
At this news the heart of sea and mine will surge; at this news the seven heavens will tremble.”
زین خبر جوشد دل دریا و کان ** زین خبر لرزان شود هفت آسمان
When the old man heard these words from the stones (idols), the ancient old man let his staff drop (from his hand);
چون شنید از سنگها پیر این سخن ** پس عصا انداخت آن پیر کهن
Then, from tremor and fear and dread caused by that proclamation (of the idols), the old man was striking his teeth together.965
پس ز لرزه و خوف و بیم آن ندا ** پیر دندانها به هم بر می‌زدی
Even as a naked man in winter, he was shuddering and saying, “O destruction!”
آنچنان که اندر زمستان مرد عور ** او همی لرزید و می‌گفت ای ثبور
When she (Halíma) saw the old man in such a state (of terror), in consequence of that marvel the woman lost (the power of) deliberation.
چون در آن حالت بدید او پیر را ** زان عجب گم کرد زن تدبیر را
She said, “O old man, though I am in affliction (on account of the loss of Mohammed), I am in manifold bewilderment (not knowing whether I should grieve or rejoice).
گفت پیر اگر چه من در محنتم ** حیرت اندر حیرت اندر حیرتم
At one moment the wind is making a speech to me, at another moment the stones are schooling me.
ساعتی بادم خطیبی می‌کند ** ساعتی سنگم ادیبی می‌کند
The wind addresses me with articulate words, the stones and mountains give me intelligence of (the real nature of) things.970
باد با حرفم سخنها می‌دهد ** سنگ و کوهم فهم اشیا می‌دهد
Once (before) they of the Invisible carried off my child—they of the Invisible, the green-winged ones of Heaven.