His speaking organ is a piece of flesh; the seat of his vision is a piece of fat;
گوشتپاره آلت گویای او ** پیهپاره منظر بینای او
The seat of his hearing consists of two pieces of bone; the seat of his (intellectual) perception is two drops of blood, that is to say, the heart.
مسمع او آن دو پاره استخوان ** مدرکش دو قطره خون یعنی جنان
Thou art a little worm and art stuffed with filth; (yet) thou hast made a (great) display of pomp in the world.1855
کرمکی و از قذر آکندهای ** طمطراقی در جهان افکندهای
Thou wert (originally composed) of seed: relinquish egoism! O Ayáz, keep in mind that sheepskin jacket!
از منی بودی منی را واگذار ** ای ایاز آن پوستین را یاد دار
The Story of Ayáz and his having a chamber for his rustic shoon and sheepskin jacket; and how his fellow-servants thought he had a buried treasure in that room, because the door was so strong and the lock so heavy.
قصهی ایاز و حجره داشتن او جهت چارق و پوستین و گمان آمدن خواجه تاشانس را کی او را در آن حجره دفینه است به سبب محکمی در و گرانی قفل
Impelled by sagacity, Ayáz hung up his sheepskin jacket and rustic shoon.
آن ایاز از زیرکی انگیخته ** پوستین و چارقش آویخته
Every day he would go into the private chamber, (saying to himself), “These are thy shoon: do not regard thy (present) eminence.”
میرود هر روز در حجرهی خلا ** چارقت اینست منگر درعلا
They (his rivals) said to the King (Mahmúd), “He has a chamber, and in it there is gold and silver and a jar (of treasure).
شاه را گفتند او را حجرهایست ** اندر آنجا زر و سیم و خمرهایست
He admits no one into it: he always keeps the door locked.”1860
راه میندهد کسی را اندرو ** بسته میدارد همیشه آن در او
The King said, “Oh, I wonder what in sooth that servant (of mine) has that is hidden and concealed from me.”
شاه فرمود ای عجب آن بنده را ** چیست خود پنهان و پوشیده ز ما
Then he gave orders to a certain Amír, saying, “Go at midnight and open (the door) and enter the room.
پس اشارت کرد میری را که رو ** نیمشب بگشای و اندر حجره شو
Whatever you find is yours: plunder him, expose his secret to the courtiers.
هر چه یابی مر ترا یغماش کن ** سر او را بر ندیمان فاش کن
Notwithstanding such innumerable kindnesses and favours (as I have bestowed upon him), does he meanly hide silver and gold (from me)?
با چنین اکرام و لطف بیعدد ** از لیمی سیم و زر پنهان کند
He professes loyalty and love and enthusiasm—and then (after all) he is one who shows wheat and sells barley!1865
مینماید او وفا و عشق و جوش ** وانگه او گندمنمای جوفروش
To any one who finds life in love, aught but (devoted) service would seem infidelity.”
هر که اندر عشق یابد زندگی ** کفر باشد پیش او جز بندگی
At midnight the Amír with thirty trusted (officers) set out to open his chamber,
نیمشب آن میر با سی معتمد ** در گشاد حجرهی او رای زد
And all these valiant men, carrying torches, moved joyfully in that direction,
مشعله بر کرده چندین پهلوان ** جانب حجره روانه شادمان
Saying, “’Tis the Sultan's command: let us raid the room and each of us pocket a purse of gold.”
که امر سلطانست بر حجره زنیم ** هر یکی همیان زر در کش کنیم
“Hey!” cried one of them, “why trouble about gold?” Talk (rather) of cornelians and rubies and (all sorts of) jewels.1870
آن یکی میگفت هی چه جای زر ** از عقیق و لعل گوی و از گهر
He is the most privileged (keeper) of the Sultan's treasury: nay, he is now (as dear) to the King (as) life itself.”
خاص خاص مخزن سلطان ویست ** بلک اکنون شاه را خود جان ویست
What worth should rubies and corundums and emeralds or cornelians possess in the eyes of this man (so) beloved (of the King)?
چه محل دارد به پیش این عشیق ** لعل و یاقوت و زمرد یا عقیق
The King had no evil thoughts of him: he was (only) making a mock (of the courtiers) by way of trial.
شاه را بر وی نبودی بد گمان ** تسخری میکرد بهر امتحان
He knew him to be free from all deceitfulness and guile; (yet) again his heart was shaken with misgiving,
پاک میدانستش از هر غش و غل ** باز از وهمش همیلرزید دل
Lest this (charge) might be (true) and he (Ayáz) should be wounded (in his feelings). “I do not wish,” (he said), “that shame should come over him.1875
که مبادا کین بود خسته شود ** من نخواهم که برو خجلت رود
He has not done this thing; and if he has, ’tis right: let him do whatever he will, (for) he is my beloved.
این نکردست او و گر کرد او رواست ** هر چه خواهد گو بکن محبوب ماست
Whatever my beloved may do, ’tis I have done (it). I am he, he is I: what (matter) though I am (hidden from view) in the veil?”
هر چه محبوبم کند من کردهام ** او منم من او چه گر در پردهام