What is his name and profession and character? (Tell me) in order that I may compose an elegy on his gracious qualities.
چیست نام و پیشه و اوصاف او ** تا بگویم مرثیه ز الطاف او
I will make an elegy—for I am a poet—that I may carry away from here some provision and morsels of food.”
مرثیه سازم که مرد شاعرم ** تا ازینجا برگ و لالنگی برم
“Eh,” said one (of them), “are you mad? You are not a Shí‘ite, you are an enemy of the (Holy) Family.
آن یکی گفتش که هی دیوانه‌ای ** تو نه‌ای شیعه عدو خانه‌ای
Don't you know that the Day of ‘Áshúrá is (a day of) mourning for a single soul that is more excellent than a (whole) generation?790
روز عاشوار نمی‌دانی که هست ** ماتم جانی که از قرنی بهست
How should this anguish (tragedy) be lightly esteemed by the true believer? Love for the ear-ring is in proportion to love for the ear.
پیش مومن کی بود این غصه خوار ** قدر عشق گوش عشق گوشوار
In the true believer's view the mourning for that pure spirit is more celebrated than a hundred Floods of Noah.”
پیش مومن ماتم آن پاک‌روح ** شهره‌تر باشد ز صد طوفان نوح
The poet's subtle discourse in criticism of the Shí‘ites of Aleppo.
نکته گفتن آن شاعر جهت طعن شیعه حلب
“Yes,” said he; “but where (in relation to our time) is the epoch of Yazíd? When did this grievous tragedy occur? How late has (the news of) it arrived here!
گفت آری لیک کو دور یزید ** کی بدست این غم چه دیر اینجا رسید
The eyes of the blind have seen that loss, the ears of the deaf have heard that story.
چشم کوران آن خسارت را بدید ** گوش کران آن حکایت را شنید
Have ye been asleep till now, that (only) now ye have rent your garments in mourning?795
خفته بودستید تا اکنون شما ** که کنون جامه دریدیت از عزا
Then, O sleepers, mourn for yourselves, for this heavy slumber is an evil death.
پس عزا بر خود کنید ای خفتگان ** زانک بد مرگیست این خواب گران