Then it became clear to him that that (infatuation) was absolutely a (Divine) mystery, and that thenceforth his (only) remedy was supplication.
پس یقین گشتش که مطلق آن سریست ** چاره او را بعد از این لابه گریست
He was prostrating himself in prayer, saying, “It beseems Thee to command: to whom but God belongeth the command over God's kingdom?
سجده میکرد او که هم فرمان تراست ** غیر حق بر ملک حق فرمان کراست
But this poor wretch is burning like aloes-wood: take his hand (help him), O Merciful and Loving One!”
لیک این مسکین همیسوزد چو عود ** دست گیرش ای رحیم و ای ودود
(So did he pray) until, because of the “O Lord! O Lord!” and lamentation of the king, a master-magician came from the road into his presence.
تا ز یا رب یا رب و افغان شاه ** ساحری استاد پیش آمد ز راه
How the king's prayer for the deliverance of his son from the witch of Kábul was granted.
مستجاب شدن دعای پادشاه در خلاص پسرش از جادوی کابلی
He had heard from afar the news that that boy had been captivated by an old woman,3160
او شنیده بود از دور این خبر ** که اسیر پیرزن گشت آن پسر
A crone who in witchery was unrivalled and secure from likeness and duality.
کان عجوزه بود اندر جادوی ** بینظیر و آمن از مثل و دوی
Hand is above hand, O youth, in skill and in strength up to the Essence of God.
دست بر بالای دستست ای فتی ** در فن و در زور تا ذات خدا
The ultimate end of (all) hands is the Hand of God: the ultimate end of (all) torrents is undoubtedly the sea.
منتهای دستها دست خداست ** بحر بیشک منتهای سیلهاست
From it the clouds take their origin, and in it too the torrent hath an end.
هم ازو گیرند مایه ابرها ** هم بدو باشد نهایت سیل را
The king said to him, “This boy has passed out of control (has lost his wits).” He (the magician) said, “Look you, I am come as a potent remedy.3165
گفت شاهش کین پسر از دست رفت ** گفت اینک آمدم درمان زفت
None of these sorcerers is equal to the old woman except me, the sagacious one, who have arrived from yonder shore.
نیست همتا زال را زین ساحران ** جز من داهی رسیده زان کران
Lo, by command of the Creator, I, like the hand of Moses, will utterly destroy her sorcery;
چون کف موسی به امر کردگار ** نک برآرم من ز سحر او دمار
For to me this knowledge hath come from yonder region, not from having been schooled in the sorcery which is held cheap (by the wise).
که مرا این علم آمد زان طرف ** نه ز شاگردی سحر مستخف
I am come to undo her sorcery, so that the prince may not remain pale-faced.
آمدم تا بر گشایم سحر او ** تا نماند شاهزاده زردرو
Go to the graveyard at the hour of the meal taken before dawn: beside the wall is a whitened tomb.3170
سوی گورستان برو وقت سحور ** پهلوی دیوار هست اسپید گور
Dig up that place in the direction of the qibla, that thou mayst behold the power and the working of God.”
سوی قبله باز کاو آنجای را ** تا ببینی قدرت و صنع خدا
This story is very long, and you (O reader) are weary: I will relate the cream (of it), I dismiss what is superfluous.
بس درازست این حکایت تو ملول ** زبده را گویم رها کردم فضول
He (the magician) untied those heavy knots: then he gave to the king's son a way (of escape) from the affliction.
آن گرههای گران را بر گشاد ** پس ز محنت پور شه را راه داد
The boy came to himself and with a hundred tribulations went running towards the throne of the king.
آن پسر با خویش آمد شد دوان ** سوی تخت شاه با صد امتحان
He made prostration and was beating his chin on the earth: the boy held in his arms a sword and winding-sheet.3175
سجده کرد و بر زمین میزد ذقن ** در بغل کرده پسر تیغ و کفن
The king ordered the city to be decorated, and the citizens and the despairing disappointed bride rejoiced.
شاه آیین بست و اهل شهر شاد ** وآن عروس ناامید بیمراد
The (whole) world revived once more and was filled with radiance: (the people said), “Oh, what a wondrous difference between that day (of sorrow) and to-day!”
عالم از سر زنده گشت و پر فروز ** ای عجب آن روز روز امروز روز
The king made such a (lavish) wedding-feast for him that sugared julep was (placed) before the dogs.
یک عروسی کرد شاه او را چنان ** که جلاب قند بد پیش سگان
The old witch died of vexation and gave up her hideous face and (foul) nature to Málik.
جادوی کمپیر از غصه بمرد ** روی و خوی زشت فا مالک سپرد
The prince was left in amazement: (he said to himself), “How did she rob me of understanding and insight?”3180
شاهزاده در تعجب مانده بود ** کز من او عقل و نظر چون در ربود