He has combed his beard, saying, “I am the foremost.” (Yes); thou art the foremost, but in the direction of death and anguish.
ریش شانه کرده که من سابقم ** سابقی لیکن به سوی مرگ و غم
Hark, adopt (as thy vocation) travelling (on the Way of righteousness) and abandon thy beard: abandon this egoism and troubled thought,
هین روش بگزین و ترک ریش کن ** ترک این ما و من و تشویش کن
That thou mayst become like the scent of the rose to (God's) lovers (and mayst be) their leader and guide to the Rose-garden.
تا شوی چون بوی گل با عاشقان ** پیشوا و رهنمای گلستان
Who (what) is the scent of the rose? The breath (voice) of reason and intelligence (which is) a sweet guide on the way to the Kingdom Everlasting.3350
کیست بوی گل دم عقل و خرد ** خوش قلاووز ره ملک ابد
How the King (Mahmúd) once more commanded Ayáz, saying, "Give a clear explanation concerning thy rustic shoon and sheepskin jacket in order that thy fellow-servants may be admonished by that indication, for (the Prophet has said), ‘Religion consists in (giving) sincere counsel.’"
فرمودن شاه به ایاز بار دگر کی شرح چارق و پوستین آشکارا بگو تا خواجه تاشانت از آن اشارت پند گیرد کی الدین النصیحة و موعظه یابند
“O Ayáz, declare the mystery of the rustic shoon and why in the presence of the shoon thou showest all this humility,
سر چارق را بیان کن ای ایاز ** پیش چارق چیستت چندین نیاز
So that thy (fellow-servants) Sunqur and Bakyáruq may hear the inmost secret of thy sheepskin jacket and rustic shoon.
تا بنوشد سنقر و بک یا رقت ** سر سر پوستین و چارقت
O Ayáz, slavery hath gained lustre from thee: thy lustre hath sped from lowliness towards heaven.
ای ایاز از تو غلامی نور یافت ** نورت از پستی سوی گردون شتافت
Servitude has become an object of regret to the free, since thou hast given life (and splendour) to servitude.
حسرت آزادگان شد بندگی ** بندگی را چون تو دادی زندگی
The true believer is he by whose true belief amidst the ebb and flow (of fortune) the infidel is made regretful.”3355
مؤمن آن باشد که اندر جزر و مد ** کافر از ایمان او حسرت خورد
Story of the infidel whom, in the time of Abá Yazíd (Báyazíd), they invited to become a Moslem; and how he answered them.
حکایت کافری کی گفتندش در عهد ابا یزید کی مسلمان شو و جواب گفتن او ایشان را
There was a certain infidel in the time of Báyazíd: a blessed Moslem said to him,
بود گبری در زمان بایزید ** گفت او را یک مسلمان سعید
“How would it be if you profess Islam, so that you may gain a hundred salvations and sovereignties?”
که چه باشد گر تو اسلام آوری ** تا بیابی صد نجات و سروری
He replied, “If this Faith (of thine), O disciple, is (the same as) that which is held by Báyazíd, the Shaykh (spiritual Director) of the world,
گفت این ایمان اگر هست ای مرید ** آنک دارد شیخ عالم بایزید
I cannot endure the glowing heat thereof, which is too great for (all) the strivings of my soul (to attain unto it).
من ندارم طاقت آن تاب آن ** که آن فزون آمد ز کوششهای جان
Although I feel no certainty as regards the Faith and Religion (of Islam), yet I believe mightily in his Faith.3360
گرچه در ایمان و دین ناموقنم ** لیک در ایمان او بس مؤمنم
I hold the faith that that (Faith of his) is higher than all (others): ’tis very beautiful, resplendent, and glorious.
دارم ایمان که آن ز جمله برترست ** بس لطیف و با فروغ و با فرست
Inwardly I am a believer in his Faith, though a seal is set firmly on my mouth.
مؤمن ایمان اویم در نهان ** گرچه مهرم هست محکم بر دهان
Again, if indeed the Faith (which thou wouldst have me embrace) is your Faith, I have no inclination or desire for it.
باز ایمان خود گر ایمان شماست ** نه بدان میلستم و نه مشتهاست
He that feels a hundred inclinations to believe—that (inclination) languishes as soon as he sees you (Moslems),
آنک صد میلش سوی ایمان بود ** چون شما را دید آن فاتر شود
Because he sees a (mere) name and no meaning in it, like calling the desert mafáza (a safe place).3365
زانک نامی بیند و معنیش نی ** چون بیابان را مفازه گفتنی
When he looks upon your Faith, his love is chilled (and shrinks) from professing it.”
عشق او ز آورد ایمان بفسرد ** چون به ایمان شما او بنگرد
Story of the harsh-voiced muezzin who called (the Moslems) to prayer in the land of the infidels and to whom a certain infidel offered presents.
حکایت آن مذن زشت آواز کی در کافرستان بانگ نماز داد و مرد کافری او را هدیه داد
A certain muezzin had a very harsh voice: he called (the Moslems to prayer) in the land of the infidels.
یک مذن داشت بس آواز بد ** در میان کافرستان بانگ زد
They said to him several times, “Do not give the call to prayer, for (otherwise) fighting and acts of hostility (against us) will be prolonged.”
چند گفتندش مگو بانگ نماز ** که شود جنگ و عداوتها دراز
He defied (them), and then without showing (any) caution he gave the call to prayer in the land of the infidels.
او ستیزه کرد و پس بی‌احتراز ** گفت در کافرستان بانگ نماز
The (Moslem) folk were in fear of a general insurrection; however, an infidel came up (to them) with a robe.3370
خلق خایف شد ز فتنه‌ی عامه‌ای ** خود بیامد کافری با جامه‌ای
He brought (with him) candles and halwá and such a (fine) robe as gifts, and approached in a friendly manner,
شمع و حلوا با چنان جامه‌ی لطیف ** هدیه آورد و بیامد چون الیف