To the end that it may be made blessed by thy approach— may thy days flourish until the Resurrection!
تا مبارک گردد از اقدام تو ** تا قیامت تازه باد ایام تو
It is a mosque for muddy and cloudy days, a mosque for days of sore distress in times of poverty,
مسجد روز گل است و روز ابر ** مسجد روز ضرورت وقت فقر
That a (poor) stranger may get charity and room (to shelter) there, and that this house of service may be frequented,
تا غریبی یابد آن جا خیر و جا ** تا فراوان گردد این خدمتسرا
So that the rites of the Religion may be multiplied and abound; because a bitter plight is sweetened (by being shared) with friends.2835
تا شعار دین شود بسیار و پر ** ز انکه با یاران شود خوش کار مر
Honour that place (by thy presence) for a short while: declare us to be sincere, and give a good account of us.
ساعتی آن جایگه تشریف ده ** تزکیهی ما کن ز ما تعریف ده
Show favour to the mosque and its founders. Thou art the moon, we are the night: comply with us for a moment,
مسجد و اصحاب مسجد را نواز ** تو مهی ما شب دمی با ما بساز
In order that by thy beauty night may be made like day, O thou whose beauty is a soul-illumining sun.”
تا شود شب از جمالت همچو روز ** ای جمالت آفتاب جان فروز
Alas! would that those words had been from the heart, so that the desire of those folk might have been accomplished!
ای دریغا کان سخن از دل بدی ** تا مراد آن نفر حاصل شدی
Courtesy that comes to the tongue without (sincerity of) heart and soul is like herbs on the ash-heap, O friends.2840
لطف کاید بیدل و جان در زبان ** همچو سبزهی تون بود ای دوستان
Look at them from afar and pass on: they are not fit for eating or smelling, O son.
هم ز دورش بنگر و اندر گذر ** خوردن و بو را نشاید ای پسر
Beware, do not go (incline) towards the courtesy of the faithless, for it is a ruined bridge: heed well (my warning).
سوی لطف بیوفایان هین مرو ** کان پل ویران بود نیکو شنو
If a fool set foot on it, the bridge will break, and will shatter that foot of his.
گر قدم را جاهلی بر وی زند ** بشکند پل و آن قدم را بشکند
Wherever an army is routed, it is because of two or three effeminate weaklings.
هر کجا لشکر شکسته میشود ** او دو سه سست مخنث میبود
He (the poltroon) comes armed into the battle-line, like a man: they (the soldiers) put their trust in him, saying, “Here's the Comrade of the Cave.”2845
در صف آید با سلاح او مردوار ** دل بر او بنهند کاینک یار غار
He turns his face (in flight) when he sees wounds: his going breaks your back.
رو بگرداند چو بیند زخمها ** رفتن او بشکند پشت ترا
This (topic) is long and is expanding, and that which is aimed at is becoming hidden (from sight).
این دراز است و فراوان میشود ** و آن چه مقصود است پنهان میشود
How the Hypocrites cajoled the Prophet—God bless and save him!—that they might take him to the Mosque of Opposition.
فریفتن منافقان پیغامبر را تا به مسجد ضرارش برند
They chanted spells over (spoke deceitful words to) the Messenger of God: they were driving (hard) the steed of cunning and craft.
بر رسول حق فسونها خواندند ** رخش دستان و حیل میراندند
The kind and compassionate Messenger proffered (in reply) nothing but smiles, nothing but “Yes.”
آن رسول مهربان رحم کیش ** جز تبسم جز بلی ناورد پیش
He expressed (his) thanks to that company (deputation): he gladdened the envoys in (by) assent.2850
شکرهای آن جماعت یاد کرد ** در اجابت قاصدان را شاد کرد
Their deceit was apparent to him, point by point, in the same way as hairs in milk.
مینمود آن مکر ایشان پیش او ** یک به یک ز آن سان که اندر شیر مو
That courteous one feigned not to see the hairs: that polite one said “Bravo!” to the milk.
موی را نادیده میکرد آن لطیف ** شیر را شاباش میگفت آن ظریف
Myriad hairs of deceit and fraud (he beheld), and at that time he closed his eyes to it all.
صد هزاران موی مکر و دمدمه ** چشم خوابانید آن دم ز ان همه
That ocean of bounty spoke truly (when he said), “I am kinder unto you than you (yourselves are).
راست میفرمود آن بحر کرم ** بر شما من از شما مشفقترم
I am seated at the edge of a fire with an exceedingly unpleasant blaze and flame;2855
من نشسته بر کنار آتشی ** با فروغ و شعلهی بس ناخوشی
Ye are hastening towards it like moths, (while) both my hands have become moth-flaps (to beat you off).”
همچو پروانه شما آن سو دوان ** هر دو دست من شده پروانه ران