(Thus) he was crying amidst that multitude: the souls of the people were filled with awe.
بانگ میزد در میان آن گروه ** پر همیشد جان خلقان از شکوه
After that, the folk, men and women (alike), cast themselves unwittingly into the fire—
خلق خود را بعد از آن بیخویشتن ** میفگندند اندر آتش مرد و زن
Without custodian, without being dragged, for love of the Friend, because from Him is the sweetening of every bitterness—805
بیموکل بیکشش از عشق دوست ** ز آن که شیرین کردن هر تلخ از اوست
Until it came to pass that the (king's) myrmidons were holding back the people, saying, “Do not enter the fire!”
تا چنان شد کان عوانان خلق را ** منع میکردند کاتش در میا
The Jew became black-faced (covered with shame) and dismayed; he became sorry and sick at heart,
آن یهودی شد سیه رو و خجل ** شد پشیمان زین سبب بیمار دل
Because the people grew more loving (ardent) in their Faith and more firm in mortification (faná) of the body.
کاندر ایمان خلق عاشقتر شدند ** در فنای جسم صادقتر شدند
Thanks (be to God), the Devil's plot caught him in its toils; thanks (be to God), the Devil saw himself disgraced.
مکر شیطان هم در او پیچید شکر ** دیو هم خود را سیه رو دید شکر
That which he was rubbing (the shame he was inflicting) on the faces of those persons (the Christians) was all accumulated on the visage of that vile wretch.810
آن چه میمالید در روی کسان ** جمع شد در چهرهی آن ناکس آن
He who was busy rending the garment (honour and integrity) of the people—his own (garment) was rent, (while) they were unhurt.
آن که میدرید جامهی خلق چست ** شد دریده آن او ایشان درست
How the mouth remained awry of a man who pronounced the name of Mohammed, on whom be peace, derisively.
کج ماندن دهان آن مرد که نام محمد را علیه السلام به تسخر خواند
He made his mouth wry and called (the name of) Mohammed in derision: his mouth remained awry.
آن دهان کژ کرد و از تسخر بخواند ** مر محمد را دهانش کژ بماند
He came back, saying, “Pardon me, O Mohammed, O thou to whom belong the (Divine) favours and knowledge (derived) immediately from God.
باز آمد کای محمد عفو کن ** ای ترا الطاف و علم من لدن
In my folly I was ridiculing thee, (but) I myself was related to ridicule and deserving it.”
من ترا افسوس میکردم ز جهل ** من بدم افسوس را منسوب و اهل
When God wishes to rend the veil of any one (expose him to shame), He turns his inclination towards reviling holy men.815
چون خدا خواهد که پردهی کس درد ** میلش اندر طعنهی پاکان برد
And if God wishes to hide the blame of any one, he (that person) does not breathe a word of blame against the blameworthy.
چون خدا خواهد که پوشد عیب کس ** کم زند در عیب معیوبان نفس
When God wishes to help us, He turns our inclination towards humble lament.
چون خدا خواهد کهمان یاری کند ** میل ما را جانب زاری کند
Oh, happy the eye that is weeping for His sake! Oh, fortunate the heart that is seared for His sake!
ای خنک چشمی که آن گریان اوست ** وی همایون دل که آن بریان اوست
The end of every weeping is laughter at last; the man who foresees the end is a blessed servant (of God).
آخر هر گریه آخر خندهای است ** مرد آخر بین مبارک بندهای است
Wherever is flowing water, there is greenery: wherever are running tears, (the Divine) mercy is shown.820
هر کجا آب روان سبزه بود ** هر کجا اشک روان رحمت شود
Be moaning and moist-eyed like the water-wheel, that green herbs may spring up from the courtyard of your soul.
باش چون دولاب نالان چشم تر ** تا ز صحن جانت بر روید خضر
If you desire tears, have mercy on one who sheds tears; if you desire mercy, show mercy to the weak.
اشک خواهی رحم کن بر اشک بار ** رحم خواهی بر ضعیفان رحم آر
How the fire reproached the Jewish king.
عتاب کردن آتش را آن پادشاه جهود
The king turned his face to the fire, saying, “O fierce-tempered one, where is thy world-consuming natural disposition?
رو به آتش کرد شه کای تند خو ** آن جهان سوز طبیعی خوت کو
How art thou not burning? What has become of thy specific property? Or has thy intention changed because of our fortune?
چون نمیسوزی چه شد خاصیتت ** یا ز بخت ما دگر شد نیتت
Thou hast no pity (even) on the fire-worshipper: how (then) has he been saved who does not worship thee?825
مینبخشایی تو بر آتش پرست ** آن که نپرستد ترا او چون برست
Never, O fire, art thou patient: how burnest thou not? What is it? Hast thou not the power?
هرگز ای آتش تو صابر نیستی ** چون نسوزی چیست قادر نیستی
Is this a spell, I wonder, that binds the eye or the mind? How does such a lofty flame not burn?
چشم بند است این عجب یا هوش بند ** چون نسوزاند چنین شعلهی بلند