When they prepared (to approach) a little nearer, the rod began to shake.
اندکی چون پیشتر کردند ساز ** اندر آمد آن عصا در اهتزاز
The rod quivered upon itself in such wise (that) both (magicians) on the spot became petrified by the shock (of terror).
آنچنان بر خود بلرزید آن عصا ** کان دو بر جا خشک گشتند از وجا
After that, it turned into a dragon and made a rush (at them): both fled, and pale of countenance
بعد از آن شد اژدها و حمله کرد ** هر دوان بگریختند و روی‌زرد
Began to fall on their faces from affright, tumbling panic-stricken down every slope.
رو در افتادن گرفتند از نهیب ** غلط غلطان منهزم در هر نشیب
Then to them it became certain that he (Moses) was from Heaven, since they were seeing the limit of (the power of) magicians.1235
پس یقینشان شد که هست از آسمان ** زانک می‌دیدند حد ساحران
Afterwards diarrhoea and fever appeared in them, and their case reached the last gasp and the death-agony.
بعد از آن اطلاق و تبشان شد پدید ** کارشان تا نزع و جان کندن رسید
Then at once they sent a man to Moses to excuse that (which they had done),
پس فرستادند مردی در زمان ** سوی موسی از برای عذر آن
Saying, “We have put (thee) to the test, and how should (the thought of) testing thee occur to us unless there be envy (as a motive)?
کامتحان کردیم و ما را کی رسد ** امتحان تو اگر نبود حسد
We are sinners against the King (God): do thou crave pardon for us, O thou that art the elect of the elect of the Court of God.”
مجرم شاهیم ما را عفو خواه ** ای تو خاص الخاص درگاه اله
He pardoned (them), and at once they became well; they were striking their heads upon the earth (prostrating themselves) in the presence of Moses.1240
عفو کرد و در زمان نیکو شدند ** پیش موسی بر زمین سر می‌زدند
Moses said, “I pardon (you), O nobles: your bodies and souls have become unlawful to (immune from) Hell.
گفت موسی عفو کردم ای کرام ** گشت بر دوزخ تن و جانتان حرام
Verily (’tis as though) I did not see you; O (my) two friends, make yourselves strangers to (refrain from) exculpation.
من شما را خود ندیدم ای دو یار ** اعجمی سازید خود را ز اعتذار
Come, even as ye are, alien in appearance (but) familiar (in reality), to combat for the King (God).”
همچنان بیگانه‌شکل و آشنا ** در نبرد آیید بهر پادشا
Then they kissed the earth and departed: they were waiting in expectation of the time and opportunity.
پس زمین را بوسه دادند و شدند ** انتظار وقت و فرصت می‌بدند
How the magicians from the cities assembled before Pharaoh and received robes of honour and laid their hands upon their breasts, (pledging themselves) to subdue his enemy (Moses), and saying, “Write this down against us.”
جمع آمدن ساحران از مداین پیش فرعون و تشریفها یافتن و دست بر سینه زدن در قهر خصم او کی این بر ما نویس
Those magicians came unto Pharaoh, and he gave them robes of honour exceedingly precious.1245
تا بفرعون آمدند آن ساحران ** دادشان تشریفهای بس گران
He made promises to them, and also gave them in advance slaves and horses and money and goods and provisions.
وعده‌هاشان کرد و پیشین هم بداد ** بندگان و اسپان و نقد و جنس و زاد
After that, he was saying, “Hark, O ye that are foremost (in your art), if ye prove superior in the trial,
بعد از آن می‌گفت هین ای سابقان ** گر فزون آیید اندر امتحان
I will scatter over you so many gifts that the veil of bounty and munificence will be rent.”
برفشانم بر شما چندان عطا ** که بدرد پرده‌ی جود و سخا
Then they said to him, “Through thy fortune, O King, we shall prevail, and his cause shall be ruined.
پس بگفتندش به اقبال تو شاه ** غالب آییم و شود کارش تباه
We are heroes and champions in this art: no one in the world can resist us.”1250
ما درین فن صفدریم و پهلوان ** کس ندارد پای ما اندر جهان
The mention of Moses has become a chain (obstruction) to the thoughts (of my readers), (for they think) that these are stories (of that) which happened long ago.