Of all acts of devotion this is the best for thee: (thereby) thou wilt gain precedence over every one that has outstripped (the rest).”
از همه طاعات اینت بهتر است ** سبق یابی بر هر آن سابق که هست
When the Pír has accepted thee, take heed, surrender thyself (to him): go, like Moses, under the authority of Khizr.
چون گرفتت پیر هین تسلیم شو ** همچو موسی زیر حکم خضر رو
Bear patiently whatever is done by a Khizr who is without hypocrisy, in order that Khizr may not say, “Begone, this is (our) parting.”2970
صبر کن بر کار خضری بینفاق ** تا نگوید خضر رو هذا فراق
Though he stave in the boat, do not speak a word; though he kill a child, do not tear thy hair.
گر چه کشتی بشکند تو دم مزن ** گر چه طفلی را کشد تو مو مکن
God has declared that his (the Pír's) hand is as His own, since He gave out (the words) the Hand of God is above their hands.
دست او را حق چو دست خویش خواند ** تا يد الله فوق أيدیهم براند
The Hand of God causes him (the child) to die and (then) brings him to life. What of life? He makes him a spirit everlasting.
دست حق میراندش زندهش کند ** زنده چه بود جان پایندهش کند
If any one, by rare exception, traversed this Way alone (without a Pír), he arrived (at his goal) through the help of the spiritual influence of the Pírs.
هر که تنها نادرا این ره برید ** هم به عون همت پیران رسید
The hand of the Pír is not withdrawn from the absent (those who are not under his authority): his hand is naught but the grasp of God.2975
دست پیر از غایبان کوتاه نیست ** دست او جز قبضهی الله نیست
Inasmuch as they give such a robe of honour to the absent, (what must they give their disciples?): undoubtedly the present are better than the absent.
غایبان را چون چنین خلعت دهند ** حاضران از غایبان لا شک بهند
Since they are bestowing (spiritual) food on the absent, see what bounties they must lay before the guest.
غایبان را چون نواله میدهند ** پیش مهمان تا چه نعمتها نهند
Where is one that girds himself (for service) before the king to (i.e. how far superior is he to) one that is outside the door?
کو کسی که پیش شه بندد کمر ** تا کسی که هست بیرون سوی در
When thou hast chosen thy Pír, be not faint-hearted, be not weak as water and crumbly as earth.
چون گزیدی پیر نازک دل مباش ** سست و ریزیده چو آب و گل مباش
If thou art enraged by every blow, then how wilt thou become a (clear) mirror without being polished?2980
گر بهر زخمی تو پر کینه شوی ** پس کجا بیصیقل آیینه شوی
How the man of Qazwín was tattooing the figure of a lion in blue on his shoulders, and (then) repenting because of the (pain of the) needle-pricks.
کبودی زدن قزوینی بر شانگاه صورت شیر و پشیمان شدن او به سبب زخم سوزن
Hear from the narrator this story about the way and custom of the people of Qazwín.
این حکایت بشنو از صاحب بیان ** در طریق و عادت قزوینیان
They tattoo themselves in blue with the point of a needle on body and hand and shoulders, so as to suffer no injury.
بر تن و دست و کتفها بیگزند ** از سر سوزن کبودیها زنند
A certain man of Qazwín went to a barber and said, “Tattoo me (and) do it charmingly (artistically).”
سوی دلاکی بشد قزوینیی ** که کبودم زن بکن شیرینیی
“O valiant sir,” said he, “what figure shall I tattoo?” He answered, “Prick in the figure of a furious lion.
گفت چه صورت زنم ای پهلوان ** گفت بر زن صورت شیر ژیان
Leo is my ascendant: tattoo the form of a lion. Exert yourself, prick in plenty of the blue dye.”2985
طالعم شیر است نقش شیر زن ** جهد کن رنگ کبودی سیر زن
“On what place,” he asked, “shall I tattoo you?” Said he, “Prick the design on my shoulder-blade.”
گفت بر چه موضعت صورت زنم ** گفت بر شانهگهم زن آن رقم
As soon as he began to stick in the needle, the pain of it settled in the shoulder,
چون که او سوزن فرو بردن گرفت ** درد آن در شانگه مسکن گرفت
And the hero fell a-moaning—“O illustrious one, you have killed me: what figure are you tattooing?”
پهلوان در ناله آمد کای سنی ** مر مرا کشتی چه صورت میزنی
“Why,” said he, “you bade me do a lion.” “What limb (of the lion),” asked the other, “did you begin with?”
گفت آخر شیر فرمودی مرا ** گفت از چه عضو کردی ابتدا
“I have begun at the tail,” said he. “O my dear friend,” he cried, “leave out the tail!2990
گفت از دمگاه آغازیدهام ** گفت دم بگذار ای دو دیدهام
My breath is stopped by the lion's tail and rump: his rump has tightly closed (choked) my windpipe.
از دم و دمگاه شیرم دم گرفت ** دمگه او دمگهم محکم گرفت
Let the lion be without a tail, O lion-maker, for my heart is faint from the blows of the prong (the tattooer's needle).”
شیر بیدم باش گو ای شیر ساز ** که دلم سستی گرفت از زخم گاز