For the ‘Imádu ’l-Mulk was the foot of the banner to which every victim of injustice and every one stricken by distress would flock for refuge.
که عمادالملک بد پای علم ** بهر هر مظلوم و هر مقتول غم
In sooth there was no chief more revered than he: in the eyes of the Sultan he was like a prophet.
محترم‌تر خود نبد زو سروری ** پیش سلطان بود چون پیغامبری
He was unambitious, strong-minded, devout, ascetic, one who kept vigils and was (like) Hátim in generosity;
بی‌طمع بود او اصیل و پارسا ** رایض و شب‌خیز و حاتم در سخا
Very felicitous in judgement, endowed with foresight, and sage: his judgement had been proved in everything that he sought to attain.
بس همایون‌رای و با تدبیر و راد ** آزموده رای او در هر مراد
(He was) generous both in self-sacrifice and in sacrificing wealth: (he was) always seeking the Sun of the invisible world, like the new-moon.3370
هم به بذل جان سخی و هم به مال ** طالب خورشید غیب او چون هلال
In his (worldly) princedom he felt strange and embarrassed: he was clad (inwardly) in the attributes of (spiritual) poverty and love (of God).
در امیری او غریب و محتبس ** در صفات فقر وخلت ملتبس
He was like a father to every one in need: before the Sultan he was an intercessor and the means of averting harm.
بوده هر محتاج را هم‌چون پدر ** پیش سلطان شافع و دفع ضرر
To the wicked he was a covering (to palliate their offences), like the clemency of God: his nature was opposite to (that of other) created beings and apart (from theirs).
مر بدان را ستر چون حلم خدا ** خلق او بر عکس خلقان و جدا
Many a time he would have gone alone to the mountains (in order to seclude himself), (but) the Sultan prevented (dissuaded) him by (making) a hundred humble entreaties.
بارها می‌شد به سوی کوه فرد ** شاه با صد لابه او را دفع کرد
If at every moment he had interceded for a hundred sins, the Sultan's eye would have been abashed before him.3375
هر دم ار صد جرم را شافع شدی ** چشم سلطان را ازو شرم آمدی