Mohammed Alp Ulugh Khwárizmsháh marched to battle against Sabzawár, (the city) full of refuge (for the wicked).845
شد محمد الپ الغ خوارزمشاه ** در قتال سبزوار پر پناه
His troops reduced them (the inhabitants) to straits; his army fell to killing the foe.
تنگشان آورد لشکرهای او ** اسپهش افتاد در قتل عدو
They prostrated themselves before him, crying, “Mercy! Make us thy thralls, (but) spare our lives!
سجده آوردند پیشش کالامان ** حلقه‌مان در گوش کن وا بخش جان
Whatever thou requirest (in the way of) tribute or presents will come to thee from us with increase (abundantly) at every fixed time (of payment).
هر خراج و صلتی که بایدت ** آن ز ما هر موسمی افزایدت
Our lives are thine, O lion-natured (prince): let them be on deposit with us for a (little) while.”
جان ما آن توست ای شیرخو ** پیش ما چندی امانت باش گو
He replied, “Ye will not save your lives from me unless ye bring an Abú Bakr into my presence.850
گفت نرهانید از من جان خویش ** تا نیاریدم ابوبکری به پیش
Unless ye bring to me as a gift from your city one whose name is Abú Bakr, O people who have fled (from righteousness),
تا مرا بوبکر نام از شهرتان ** هدیه نارید ای رمیده امتان
I will mow you down like corn, O vile folk: I will accept neither tribute nor blandishments.”
بدرومتان هم‌چو کشت ای قوم دون ** نه خراج استانم و نه هم فسون
They offered him many sacks of gold, saying, “Do not demand an Abú Bakr from a city like this.
بس جوال زر کشیدندش به راه ** کز چنین شهری ابوبکری مخواه
How should there be an Abú Bakr in Sabzawár, or a dry sod in the river?”
کی بود بوبکر اندر سبزوار ** یا کلوخ خشک اندر جویبار
He averted his face from the gold and said, “O Magians (infidels), unless ye bring me an Abú Bakr as an offering,855
رو بتابید از زر و گفت ای مغان ** تا نیاریدم ابوبکر ارمغان
’Tis of no avail. I am not a child that I should stand dumbfounded (fascinated) by gold and silver.”
هیچ سودی نیست کودک نیستم ** تا به زر و سیم حیران بیستم
Unless thou prostrate thyself (in humble submission to God), thou wilt not escape (from punishment), O wretch, (even) if thou traverse the (whole) mosque on thy séant.
تا نیاری سجده نرهی ای زبون ** گر بپیمایی تو مسجد را به کون
They (the inhabitants of Sabzawár) despatched emissaries, (to inquire) where in this desolate (corrupt) place an Abú Bakr was (to be found).
منهیان انگیختند از چپ و راست ** که اندرین ویرانه بوبکری کجاست
After three days and three nights, during which they made haste (in searching), they found an emaciated Abú Bakr.
بعد سه روز و سه شب که اشتافتند ** یک ابوبکری نزاری یافتند
He was a wayfarer and, on account of sickness, had remained in the corner of a ruin, in utter exhaustion.860
ره گذر بود و بمانده از مرض ** در یکی گوشه‌ی خرابه پر حرض
He was lying in a ruined nook. When they espied him, they said to him hurriedly,
خفته بود او در یکی کنجی خراب ** چون بدیدندش بگفتندش شتاب
“Arise! The Sultan has demanded thee: by thee our city will be saved from slaughter.”
خیز که سلطان ترا طالب شدست ** کز تو خواهد شهر ما از قتل رست
He replied, “If I had the foot (power to walk) or any (means of) arrival, I myself would have gone by my own road to my destination.
گفت اگر پایم بدی یا مقدمی ** خود به راه خود به مقصد رفتمی
How should I have remained in this abode of my enemies? I would have pushed on towards the city of my friends.”
اندرین دشمن‌کده کی ماندمی ** سوی شهر دوستان می‌راندمی
They raised the corpse-bearers' board and lifted our Abú Bakr (upon it).865
تخته‌ی مرده‌کشان بفراشتند ** وان ابوبکر مرا برداشتند
The carriers were taking him along to Khwárizmsháh, that he (the Sultan) might behold the token (which he desired).
سوی خوارمشاه حمالان کشان ** می‌کشیدندش که تا بیند نشان
Sabzawár is this world, and in this place the man of God is wasted and goodfor- naught.
سبزوارست این جهان و مرد حق ** اندرین جا ضایعست و ممتحق
Khwárizmsháh is God Almighty: He demands from this wicked folk the (pure) heart.