I heard that an Egyptian, on account of thirst, came into the house of an Israelite.
من شنیدم که در آمد قبطیی ** از عطش اندر وثاق سبطیی
He said, “I am thy friend and kinsman: to-day I have become in need of thee,
گفت هستم یار و خویشاوند تو ** گشته‌ام امروز حاجتمند تو
Because Moses wrought sorcery and enchantments, so that he made the water of the Nile to be blood for us.
زانک موسی جادوی کرد و فسون ** تا که آب نیل ما را کرد خون
The Israelites drink pure water from it, (but) to the Egyptians the water has become blood from the spell laid on our eyes.
سبطیان زو آب صافی می‌خورند ** پیش قبطی خون شد آب از چشم‌بند
Look, the Egyptians are dying of thirst in consequence of their ill-fortune or their evil nature.3435
قبط اینک می‌مرند از تشنگی ** از پی ادبار خود یا بدرگی
Fill one cup with water for thyself, that this old friend may drink of thy water.
بهر خود یک طاس را پر آب کن ** تا خورد از آبت این یار کهن
When thou fillest that cup for thine own sake, ’twill not be blood, ’twill be water pure and free (from taint).
چون برای خود کنی آن طاس پر ** خون نباشد آب باشد پاک و حر
I too will drink the water as thy parasite; for a parasite, in following (his host), is relieved from anguish.”
من طفیل تو بنوشم آب هم ** که طفیلی در تبع به جهد ز غم
He (the Israelite) said, “O (thou who art to me as) soul and world, I will do (this) service (for thee); I will pay (thee) regard (in this matter), O (thou who art as) my two bright eyes!
گفت ای جان و جهان خدمت کنم ** پاس دارم ای دو چشم روشنم
I will do according to thy desire, I will rejoice (to serve thee); I will be thy slave, I will act (generously) as a freeman.”3440
بر مراد تو روم شادی کنم ** بنده‌ی تو باشم آزادی کنم
He filled the cup with water from the Nile, put it to his lips, and drank one half (of the water).
طاس را از نیل او پر آب کرد ** بر دهان بنهاد و نیمی را بخورد
(Then) he tilted the cup towards him who craved the water, saying, “Drink thou too!” That (water) became black blood.
طاس را کژ کرد سوی آب‌خواه ** که بخور تو هم شد آن خون سیاه
Again he tilted it on this side (towards himself): the blood became water (once more). The Egyptian was enraged and incensed.
باز ازین سو کرد کژ خون آب شد ** قبطی اندر خشم و اندر تاب شد
He sat down awhile till his anger departed; after that, he said to him, “O mighty sword (of the Faith),
ساعتی بنشست تا خشمش برفت ** بعد از آن گفتش کای صمصام زفت
O brother, what is the expedient for (loosing) this knot?” He (the Israelite) said, “(Only) he that is God-fearing drinks this (water).”3445
ای برادر این گره را چاره چیست ** گفت این را او خورد کو متقیست
The God-fearing man is he that has become quit of (has renounced) the way of Pharaoh and has become like unto Moses.
متقی آنست کو بیزار شد ** از ره فرعون و موسی‌وار شد
Become (as) the people of Moses and drink this water; make peace with the Moon and behold the moonbeams.
قوم موسی شو بخور این آب را ** صلح کن با مه ببین مهتاب را
There are a hundred thousand darknesses in thine eye (which arise) from thy wrath against the servants of God.
صدهزاران ظلمتست از خشم تو ** بر عبادالله اندر چشم تو
Extinguish wrath, open the (spiritual) eye, rejoice, take a lesson from (true) friends, become a teacher (of the Truth).