The people (were) gathered round him (thick) as ants and locusts, crying, “What deceit and imposture and trap is (this)?
خلق بر وی جمع چون مور و ملخ ** که چه مکرست و چه تزویر و چه فخ
If he that comes from (the realm of) non-existence is a prophet, we all are prophets and grand (in spiritual eminence).
گر رسول آنست که آید از عدم ** ما همه پیغامبریم و محتشم
We (too) came hither as strangers from that place (realm): why shouldst thou be specially endowed (with prophecy), O accomplished one?”
ما از آنجا آمدیم اینجا غریب ** تو چرا مخصوص باشی ای ادیب
(He replied), “Did not ye come like a sleeping child? Ye were ignorant of the way and the destination.
نه شما چون طفل خفته آمدیت ** بی‌خبر از راه وز منزل بدیت
Ye passed through the (different) stages asleep and intoxicated, unconscious of the way and (its) ups and downs;1125
از منازل خفته بگذشتید و مست ** بی‌خبر از راه و از بالا و پست
(But) we (prophets) set out in wakefulness and well (aware) from beyond the five (senses) and the six (directions) to (this world of) the five and six,
ما به بیداری روان گشتیم و خوش ** از ورای پنج و شش تا پنج و شش
Having perceived (all) the stages from the source and foundation, possessed of experience and knowing the way like (skilled) guides.”
دیده منزلها ز اصل و از اساس ** چون قلاووز آن خبیر و ره‌شناس
They said to the king, “Put him to the rack, that a person of his sort may never (again) speak such words.”
شاه را گفتند اشکنجه‌ش بکن ** تا نگوید جنس او هیچ این سخن
The king saw that he was very thin and infirm, so that such an emaciated man would die at a single blow.
شاه دیدش بس نزار و بس ضعیف ** که به یک سیلی بمیرد آن نحیف
(He thought to himself), “How is it possible to torture or beat him, since his body has become as (fragile as) a glass?1130
کی توان او را فشردن یا زدن ** که چو شیشه گشته است او را بدن
But I will speak to him kindly and say, ‘Why dost thou boast of (this) high estate?’
لیک با او گویم از راه خوشی ** که چرا داری تو لاف سر کشی
For here harshness is of no use: ’tis by gentleness that the snake puts forth its head (is induced to come forth) from the hole.”
که درشتی ناید اینجا هیچ کار ** هم به نرمی سر کند از غار مار
He caused the people to withdraw from around him (the claimant): the king was a gracious man, and gentleness was his way.
مردمان را دور کرد از گرد وی ** شه لطیفی بود و نرمی ورد وی
Then he bade him be seated, and asked him concerning his dwelling-place, saying, “Where hast thou thy means of livelihood and refuge?”
پس نشاندش باز پرسیدش ز جا ** که کجا داری معاش و ملتجی
He replied, “O king, I belong to the Abode of Peace: I have come from the road (after having journeyed) to this Abode of Blame.1135
گفت ای شه هستم از دار السلام ** آمده از ره درین دار الملام
I have neither home nor any companion: when has a fish made its home on the earth?”
نه مرا خانه‌ست و نه یک همنشین ** خانه کی کردست ماهی در زمین
Again the king answered him, saying by way of jest, “What (food) hast thou eaten and what provision hast thou (made) for the morning meal?
باز شه از روی لاغش گفت باز ** که چه خوردی و چه داری چاشت‌ساز
Hast thou appetite? What didst thou eat at daybreak that thou art so intoxicated and boastful and blustering?”
اشتهی داری چه خوردی بامداد ** که چنین سرمستی و پر لاف و باد
He replied, “If I had bread, (whether) dry or moist, how should I lay claim to prophecy?
گفت اگر نانم بدی خشک و طری ** کی کنیمی دعوی پیغامبری
To claim to be a prophet amongst these people is like seeking a heart from a mountain.1140
دعوی پیغامبری با این گروه ** هم‌چنان باشد که دل جستن ز کوه
No one (ever) sought intellect and heart from mountains and rocks: none sought (from them) understanding and apprehension of a difficult point of discourse.
کس ز کوه و سنگ عقل و دل نجست ** فهم و ضبط نکته‌ی مشکل نجست
Whatever you say, the mountain replies the same: it makes a mock (of you) like the scoffers.
هر چه گویی باز گوید که همان ** می‌کند افسوس چون مستهزیان
What relation exists between this folk and the (Divine) message? Who can hope for (spiritual) life from a soulless thing?
از کجا این قوم و پیغام از کجا ** از جمادی جان کرا باشد رجا
If you bring (them) a message concerning a woman or gold, they will all lay before you their money and lives (in entire devotion)—
گر تو پیغام زنی آری و زر ** پیش تو بنهند جمله سیم و سر
(The message), ‘A sweetheart in such and such a place invites thee (to come to her): she is in love with thee, she knows thee.’1145
که فلان جا شاهدی می‌خواندت ** عاشق آمد بر تو او می‌داندت