That he dared to pretend to divinity: he became a dragon and would never be sated.
که به دعوی الهی شد دلیر ** اژدها گشت و نمیشد هیچ سیر
Imagination and opinion are the bane of the particular (discursive) reason, because its dwelling-place is in the darkness.
عقل جزوی آفتش وهمست و ظن ** زانک در ظلمات شد او را وطن
If there be a path half an ell wide on the ground, a man will walk safely without imagining;
بر زمین گر نیم گز راهی بود ** آدمی بی وهم آمن میرود
(But) if you walk on the top of a high wall, you will stagger even if its width be two ells;1560
بر سر دیوار عالی گر روی ** گر دو گز عرضش بود کژ میشوی
Nay, through (the force of) imagination and from trembling of heart, you will be (on the point of) falling. Consider well and understand the fear that is due to imagination.
بلک میافتی ز لرزهی دل به وهم ** ترس وهمی را نکو بنگر بفهم
How the teacher was made ill by imagination.
رنجور شدن اوستاد به وهم
The master became unnerved by imagination and dread; he sprang up and began to drag his cloak along,
گشت استا سست از وهم و ز بیم ** بر جهید و میکشانید او گلیم
Angry with his wife and saying, “Her love is weak: I am in this state (of health), and she did not ask and inquire.
خشمگین با زن که مهر اوست سست ** من بدین حالم نپرسید و نجست
She did not even inform me about my colour: she intends to be freed from my disgrace.
خود مرا آگه نکرد از رنگ من ** قصد دارد تا رهد از ننگ من
She has become intoxicated with her beauty and the display (of her charms) and is unaware that I have fallen from the roof, like a bowl.”1565
او به حسن و جلوهی خود مست گشت ** بیخبر کز بام افتادم چو طشت
He came (home) and fiercely opened the door—the boys (were following) at the master's heels.
آمد و در را بتندی وا گشاد ** کودکان اندر پی آن اوستاد
His wife said, “Is it well (with thee)? How hast thou come (so) soon? May no evil happen to thy goodly person!”
گفت زن خیرست چون زود آمدی ** که مبادا ذات نیکت را بدی
He said, “Are you blind? Look at my colour and appearance: (even) strangers are lamenting my affliction,
گفت کوری رنگ و حال من ببین ** از غمم بیگانگان اندر حنین
(While) you, at home, from hatred and hypocrisy do not see the state of anguish I am in.”
تو درون خانه از بغض و نفاق ** مینبینی حال من در احتراق
His wife said, “O sir, there is nothing wrong with thee: ’tis (only) thy vain unreal imagination and opinion.”1570
گفت زن ای خواجه عیبی نیستت ** وهم و ظن لاش بی معنیستت
He said to her, “O strumpet, are you still obstinately disputing (with me)? Don't you see this change (in my appearance) and (this) tremor?
گفتش ای غر تو هنوزی در لجاج ** مینبینی این تغیر و ارتجاج
If you have become blind and deaf, what fault of mine is it? I am in this (state of) pain and grief and woe.”
گر تو کور و کر شدی ما را چه جرم ** ما درین رنجیم و در اندوه و گرم
She said, “O sir, I will bring the mirror, in order that thou mayst know that I am innocent.”
گفت ای خواجه بیارم آینه ** تا بدانی که ندارم من گنه
“Begone,” said he; “may neither you nor your mirror be saved! You are always (engaged) in hatred and malice and sin.
گفت رو مه تو رهی مه آینت ** دایما در بغض و کینی و عنت
Lay my bed at once, that I may lie down, for my head is sore.”1575
جامهی خواب مرا زو گستران ** تا بخسپم که سر من شد گران
The wife lingered; the man shouted at her, saying, “O hateful one, (be) quicker! This (behaviour) is worthy of you.”
زن توقف کرد مردش بانگ زد ** کای عدو زوتر ترا این میسزد
How the master went to bed and moaned, imagining himself to be ill.
در جامهی خواب افتادن استاد و نالیدن او از وهم رنجوری
The old woman brought the bed-clothes and spread them. She said, “There is no possibility (of speaking), and my heart is filled with burning (grief).
جامه خواب آورد و گسترد آن عجوز ** گفت امکان نه و باطن پر ز سوز
If I speak, he will hold me suspect; and if I say nothing, this affair will become serious.”
گر بگویم متهم دارد مرا ** ور نگویم جد شود این ماجرا
A man who has not suffered any pain is made ill by a bad omen.
فال بد رنجور گرداند همی ** آدمی را که نبودستش غمی
It is obligatory to accept the saying of the Prophet, “If ye pretend to be sick beside me, ye will become (actually) sick.”1580
قول پیغامبر قبوله یفرض ** ان تمارضتم لدینا تمرضوا
“If I tell him (that he is not ill), he will cast up (conceive) a vain fancy (and will think to himself), ‘My wife has an (evil) design, for she is making arrangements to be alone.
گر بگویم او خیالی بر زند ** فعل دارد زن که خلوت میکند