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
Asking again and again, “Tell me, where is this muezzin, whose call and cry increases my pleasure?”
پرس پرسان کین مذن کو کجاست ** که صلا و بانگ او راحتفزاست
“Eh, what pleasure was there from such a harsh voice?” He replied, “His voice penetrated into the church.
هین چه راحت بود زان آواز زشت ** گفت که آوازش فتاد اندر کنشت
I have a comely daughter of very high estate: she was desiring (to marry) a true believer.
دختری دارم لطیف و بس سنی ** آرزو میبود او را مؤمنی
Never would this passion go out of her head, (though) so many infidels were exhorting her.3375
هیچ این سودا نمیرفت از سرش ** پندها میداد چندین کافرش
Love of the Faith had grown up in her heart: this grief was like a censer and I like the aloes-wood (burning in it).
در دل او مهر ایمان رسته بود ** همچو مجمر بود این غم من چو عود
I was in torment and anguish and continually on the rack lest her passion should lead her (to embrace Islam).
در عذاب و درد و اشکنجه بدم ** که بجنبد سلسلهی او دم به دم
I knew no remedy for it until this muezzin chanted the adhán (call to prayer).
هیچ چاره میندانستم در آن ** تا فرو خواند این مذن آن اذان
(Then) my daughter said, ‘What is this detestable noise? It grates on my ear.
گفت دختر چیست این مکروه بانگ ** که بگوشم آمد این دو چار دانگ
Never in all my life have I heard such a harsh voice in this Christian convent and church.’3380
من همه عمر این چنین آواز زشت ** هیچ نشنیدم درین دیر و کنشت
Her sister said to her, ‘This chant, namely the adhán, gives (the Moslems) notice (of prayer-time) and is the watchword of the Faithful.’
خوهرش گفتا که این بانگ اذان ** هست اعلام و شعار مومنان
She would not believe it, and asked some one else: that person too said, ‘Yes, (it is true), O father.’
باورش نامد بپرسید از دگر ** آن دگر هم گفت آری ای پدر
When she became sure (of this), her face turned pale and her heart grew cold (averse) to Islam.
چون یقین گشتش رخ او زرد شد ** از مسلمانی دل او سرد شد
I was delivered from anxiety and torment: last night I slept sound in a peaceful sleep.
باز رستم من ز تشویش و عذاب ** دوش خوش خفتم در آن بیخوف خواب
This was the pleasure (that came) to me from his voice: in gratitude I bring (these) gifts: where is the man?”3385
راحتم این بود از آواز او ** هدیه آوردم به شکر آن مرد کو
When he saw him (the muezzin), he said, “Accept the gift, for thou hast been my protector and saviour.
چون بدیدش گفت این هدیه پذیر ** که مرا گشتی مجیر و دستگیر
(On account of) the benefit and kindness that thou hast done to me, I have become thy slave perpetually.
آنچ کردی با من از احسان و بر ** بندهی تو گشتهام من مستمر
If I were eminent in respect of property, possessions, and riches, I would fill thy mouth with gold.”
گر به مال و ملک و ثروت فردمی ** من دهانت را پر از زر کردمی
“The Faith of you (Moslems) is hypocrisy and falsehood: like that call to prayer, it waylays (the seeker and prevents him from embracing Islam);
هست ایمان شما زرق و مجاز ** راهزن همچون که آن بانگ نماز
But many a regret has come into my heart and soul from (my admiration for) the Faith and sincerity of Báyazíd.”3390
لیک از ایمان و صدق بایزید ** چند حسرت در دل و جانم رسید
Tanquam illa femina quae, cum concubitum asini videret, dixit: “Eheu, quid est hic admissarius egregius? [Just like that woman who observed sexual intercourse with the ass, she said (to herself): “Oh, what is this incomparable stallion?]
همچو آن زن کو جماع خر بدید ** گفت آوه چیست این فحل فرید