How should the meaning of ‘the Pen has dried’ be (this), that acts of perfidy and acts of faithfulness are alike?
معنی جف القلم کی آن بود ** که جفاها با وفا یکسان بود
Nay, perfidy (in return) for acts of perfidy: the Pen has dried (on that); and faithfulness (in return) for those acts of faithfulness: the Pen has dried (on that).
بل جفا را هم جفا جف القلم ** وآن وفا را هم وفا جف القلم
(True), there may be pardon (for the sinner), but where (for him) is the glorious hope that through piety the servant of God may be (spiritually) illumined?
عفو باشد لیک کو فر امید ** که بود بنده ز تقوی روسپید
If a robber be pardoned, he saves his life, (but) how should he become a vizier and keeper of the treasury?
دزد را گر عفو باشد جان برد ** کی وزیر و خازن مخزن شود
Come, O godly Amínu’ddín, for every tiara and ensign has grown from trustworthiness (amánat).3155
ای امین الدین ربانی بیا ** کز امانت رست هر تاج و لوا
If the Sultan's son become a traitor to him, on that account his head will be severed from his body;
پور سلطان گر برو خاین شود ** آن سرش از تن بدان باین شود
And if a Hindú slave show faithfulness, sovereignty will applaud him (and cry), ‘Long may he live!’
وز غلامی هندوی آرد وفا ** دولت او را می‌زند طال بقا
What of a slave? If a dog is faithful (in keeping watch) at a door, there are a hundred feelings of satisfaction with him in the heart of the master (of the house).
چه غلام ار بر دری سگ باوفاست ** در دل سالار او را صد رضاست
Since, because of this (faithfulness), he kisses the mouth of a dog, if he (the faithful one) be a lion, how triumphant he will make him!
زین چو سگ را بوسه بر پوزش دهد ** گر بود شیری چه پیروزش کند
(Robbers get nothing but pardon), except, to be sure, the robber who performs acts of service (to God) and whose sincerity uproots his (former) perfidy,3160
جز مگر دزدی که خدمتها کند ** صدق او بیخ جفا را بر کند