Rumi's Masnavi - He quickly drew his scimitar from its sheath and said, “Declare the secret cause of thy laughter, O foul (woman)!

He quickly drew his scimitar from its sheath and said, “Declare the secret cause of thy laughter, O foul (woman)! 3955

زود شمشیر از غلافش بر کشید ** گفت سر خنده واگو ای پلید

From this laughter a suspicion has come into my heart: tell the truth, thou canst not cajole me.

در دلم زین خنده ظنی اوفتاد ** راستی گو عشوه نتوانیم داد

And if thou deceive me with falsehoods or idly utter glib excuses,

ور خلاف راستی بفریبیم ** یا بهانه‌ی چرب آری تو به دم

I shall know, (for) there is light in my heart: thou must tell everything that ought to be told.

من بدانم در دل من روشنیست ** بایدت گفتن هر آنچ گفتنیست

Know that in the heart of kings there is a mighty moon, though sometimes it is overclouded by forgetfulness.

در دل شاهان تو ماهی دان سطبر ** گرچه گه گه شد ز غفلت زیر ابر

In the heart there is a lamp with which one goes about (as a rule); at times of anger and concupiscence it is put under the basin. 3960

یک چراغی هست در دل وقت گشت ** وقت خشم و حرص آید زیر طشت

That clairvoyance accompanies me just now: unless thou tell that which ’tis thy duty to tell,

آن فراست این زمان یار منست ** گر نگویی آنچ حق گفتنست

I will sever thy neck with this scimitar: evasion will not avail thee at all.

من بدین شمشیر برم گردنت ** سود نبود خود بهانه کردنت

And if thou tell the truth, I will set thee free: I will not violate the duty I owe to God, I will make thee glad.”

ور بگویی راست آزادت کنم ** حق یزدان نشکنم شادت کنم

At the same moment he placed seven Qur’áns one on the top of another and swore an oath and thus confirmed (his promise).

هفت مصحف آن زمان برهم نهاد ** خورد سوگند و چنین تقریر داد

How the girl disclosed the secret to the Caliph in fear of (having her head cut off by) a blow of the sword, and how she was forced (to speak) by the Caliph (who said), “Give a true account of the cause of thy laughter or else I will kill thee.”

فاش کردن آن کنیزک آن راز را با خلیفه از زخم شمشیر و اکراه خلیفه کی راست گو سبب این خنده را و گر نه بکشمت