He owes nine thousand (pieces) of gold: let him discharge his debt with some of these (jewels).
وام دارد از ذهب او نه هزار ** وام را از بعض این گو بر گزار
There will be a great many of them left over: let him expend (this surplus) and include me too in a benediction.
فضله ماند زین بسی گو خرج کن ** در دعایی گو مرا هم درج کن
I wished to give them (to him) with my own hand: (all) these assignments are written in such-and-such a note-book.
خواستم تا آن به دست خود دهم ** در فلان دفتر نوشتست این قسم
Death, however, did not allow me time to hand over to him secretly the pearls of Aden.
خود اجل مهلت ندادم تا که من ** خفیه بسپارم بدو در عدن
Rubies and corundums for (the payment of) his debt are (stored) in a certain vessel on which his name is written.3540
لعل و یاقوتست بهر وام او ** در خنوری و نبشته نام او
I have buried it in a certain vault: I have shown solicitude for my ancient friend.
در فلان طاقیش مدفون کردهام ** من غم آن یار پیشین خوردهام
None but kings can know the value of that (treasure): take care, then, that they (the purchasers) do not cheat you in the sale.
قیمت آن را نداند جز ملوک ** فاجتهد بالبیع ان لا یخدعوک
In sales (commercial transactions), for fear of being swindled, behave in the same manner as the Prophet, who taught (his followers to demand) three days' option.
در بیوع آن کن تو از خوف غرار ** که رسول آموخت سه روز اختیار
Do not be afraid of it (the treasure) depreciating and do not fall (into anxiety), since the demand for it will never decline.
از کساد آن مترس و در میفت ** که رواج آن نخواهد هیچ خفت
Give my heirs a greeting from me and rehearse to them this injunction, point by point,3545
وارثانم را سلام من بگو ** وین وصیت را بگو هم مو به مو
In order that they may not be deterred by the largeness of the (sum of) gold, but may deliver it to that guest (of mine) without reluctance.
تا ز بسیاری آن زر نشکهند ** بیگرانی پیش آن مهمان نهند
And if he say that he does not want so much, bid him take it and bestow it on whom he will.
ور بگوید او نخواهم این فره ** گو بگیر و هر که را خواهی بده
I will not take back a jot of what I have given: the milk never comes back to the teat.
زانچ دادم باز نستانم نقیر ** سوی پستان باز ناید هیچ شیر
According to the Prophet's saying, he who reclaims a gift will have become like a dog devouring his vomit.
گشته باشد همچو سگ قی را اکول ** مسترد نحله بر قول رسول
And if he shut the door and (declare that he) has no need of the gold, let them pour the bounty at his door,3550
ور ببندد در نباید آن زرش ** تا بریزند آن عطا را بر درش
(So that) every one who passes may carry gold away: the gifts of the sincere are never taken back.
هر که آنجا بگذرد زر میبرد ** نیست هدیهی مخلصان را مسترد
I laid it in store for him two years ago and vowed to the Almighty (that it should be his).
بهر او بنهادهام آن از دو سال ** کردهام من نذرها با ذوالجلال
And if they (my heirs) deem it permissible to take aught (for themselves), verily twentyfold loss will befall them.
ور روا دارند چیزی زان ستد ** بیست چندان خو زیانشان اوفتد
If they vex my spirit, a hundred doors of tribulation will at once be opened for them.
گر روانم را پژولانند زود ** صد در محنت بریشان بر گشود
I have good hope of God that He will cause the due (payment) to reach the person who has the right to it.”3555
از خدا اومید دارم من لبق ** که رساند حق را در مستحق
He (the Khwája) unfolded two other matters to him (the bailiff), (but) I will not open my lips in mention of them,
دو قضیهی دیگر او را شرح داد ** لب به ذکر آن نخواهم بر گشاد
In order that (these) two matters may remain secret and mysterious, and also that the Mathnawí may not become so very long.
تا بماند دو قضیه سر و راز ** هم نگردد مثنوی چندین دراز
He (the bailiff) sprang up from sleep, (joyously) snapping his fingers, now singing love-songs and now making lament.
برجهید از خواب انگشتکزنان ** گه غزلگویان و گه نوحهکنان
The guest (the debtor) said, “In what mad fits are you (plunged)? O bailiff, you have risen intoxicated and merry.
گفت مهمان در چه سوداهاستی ** پایمردا مست و خوش بر خاستی
I wonder what you dreamed last night, O exalted one, that you cannot be contained in city or desert.3560
تا چه دیدی خواب دوش ای بوالعلا ** که نمیگنجی تو در شهر و فلا