If thou forgive, despair will be removed; and if not, may a hundred like us be a sacrifice to the King!”
گر ببخشی یافت نومیدی گشاد ** ورنه صد چون ما فدای شاه باد
The King replied, “Nay, I will not show this clemency or deal this punishment: that (right) belongs to Ayáz.
گفت شه نه این نواز و این گداز ** من نخواهم کرد هست آن ایاز
[How the King referred to Ayáz the question of accepting the repentance of the ploiters who had opened his chamber or of punishing them, because he judged that the offence had been committed against his honour.]
حواله کردن پادشاه قبول و توبهی نمامان و حجره گشایان و سزا دادن ایشان با ایاز کی یعنی این جنایت بر عرض او رفته است
This is an offence against his person and honour: the blow is (inflicted) on the veins of that man of goodly ways.
این جنایت بر تن و عرض ویست ** زخم بر رگهای آن نیکوپیست
Although we are spiritually one, formally I am far from (I am unaffected by) this profit and loss.”2095
گرچه نفس واحدیم از روی جان ** ظاهرا دورم ازین سود و زیان
An accusation against a (guilty) servant is no disgrace to the King: it is only (a means of) increasing (His) forbearance and (the servant's) reliance (on His protection).
تهمتی بر بنده شه را عار نیست ** جز مزید حلم و استظهار نیست
Inasmuch as the King makes one who is accused (rich as) Qárún (Korah), consider how He will act towards one who is innocent.
متهم را شاه چون قارون کند ** بیگنه را تو نظر کن چون کند
Deem not the King to be ignorant of any one's actions: ’tis only His forbearance that prevents it (the evil action) from being brought to light.
شاه را غافل مدان از کار کس ** مانع اظهار آن حلمست و بس
Here who shall recklessly intercede with His knowledge— (who) except His forbearance?
من هنا یشفع به پیش علم او ** لا ابالیوار الا حلم او
The sin arises at first from His forbearance; otherwise, how should His awful majesty give (any) room for it (to arise)?2100
آن گنه اول ز حلمش میجهد ** ورنه هیبت آن مجالش کی دهد
(Payment of) the blood-price for the crime of the murderous carnal soul falls on His forbearance: the blood-wit is (an obligation) on the (murderer's) kin.