- One day (it happened) extraordinarily (that) an old man said, “Give me alms, for I am hungry.”
- نادرا روزی یکی پیری بگفت ** ده زکاتم که منم با جوع جفت
- He refused (alms) to the old man, but the old man importuned him: the people were astounded by the old man's importunity.
- منع کرد از پیر و پیرش جد گرفت ** مانده خلق از جد پیر اندر شگفت
- He (the Sadr) said, “You are a very shameless old man, O father.” The old man replied, “Thou art more shameless than I,
- گفت بس بیشرم پیری ای پدر ** پیر گفت از من توی بیشرمتر
- For thou hast enjoyed this world, and in thy greed thou wouldst fain take the other world (to enjoy it) together with this world.” 3815
- کین جهان خوردی و خواهی تو ز طمع ** کان جهان با این جهان گیری به جمع
- He (the Sadr) laughed and gave the old man some money: the old man alone obtained the bounty.
- خندهاش آمد مال داد آن پیر را ** پیر تنها برد آن توفیر را
- Except that old man none of those who begged (aloud) saw half a mite or a single farthing of his money.
- غیر آن پیر ایچ خواهنده ازو ** نیم حبه زر ندید و نه تسو
- On the day when it was the turn of the jurists (to receive alms), a certain jurist, (impelled) by cupidity, suddenly began to whine.
- نوبت روز فقیهان ناگهان ** یک فقیه از حرص آمد در فغان
- He made many piteous appeals, but there was no help (for him); he uttered every kind (of entreaty), but it availed him naught.
- کرد زاریها بسی چاره نبود ** گفت هر نوعی نبودش هیچ سود
- Next day he wrapped his leg in rags (and stood) in the row of the sufferers (from illness), hanging his head. 3820
- روز دیگر با رگو پیچید پا ** ناکس اندر صف قوم مبتلا
- He tied splints on his shank, left and right, in order that it might be supposed that his leg was broken.
- تختهها بر ساق بست از چپ و راست ** تا گمان آید که او اشکستهپاست
- He (the Sadr) saw and recognised him and did not give him anything. Next day he covered his face with a rain-cloak,
- دیدش و بشناختش چیزی نداد ** روز دیگر رو بپوشید از لباد
- (But) the noble lord knew him still and gave him nothing because of the sin and crime (which he had committed) by speaking.
- هم بدانستش ندادش آن عزیز ** از گناه و جرم گفتن هیچ چیز
- When he had failed in a hundred sorts of trickery, he drew a chádar over his head, like women,
- چونک عاجز شد ز صد گونه مکید ** چون زنان او چادری بر سر کشید
- And went and sat down amongst the widows, and let his head droop and concealed his hands. 3825
- در میان بیوگان رفت و نشست ** سر فرو افکند و پنهان کرد دست
- Still he (the Sadr) recognised him and did not give him any alms: on account of the disappointment a (feeling of) burning grief came into his heart.
- هم شناسیدش ندادش صدقهای ** در دلش آمد ز حرمان حرقهای
- He went early in the morning to a purveyor of grave-clothes, saying, “Wrap me in a felt (shroud) and lay me out on the road.
- رفت او پیش کفنخواهی پگاه ** که بپیچم در نمد نه پیش راه
- Do not open thy lips at all, (but) sit down and look on till the Sadr-i Jahán passes here.
- هیچ مگشا لب نشین و مینگر ** تا کند صدر جهان اینجا گذر
- Maybe he will see (me) and suppose that I am dead and drop some money to cover the cost of the shroud.
- بوک بیند مرده پندار به ظن ** زر در اندازد پی وجه کفن
- I will pay thee half of whatever he may give.” The poor man, desiring the (expected) present, did just as he was told. 3830
- هر چه بدهد نیم آن بدهم به تو ** همچنان کرد آن فقیر صلهجو
- He wrapped him in the felt and laid him out on the road. The Sadr-i Jahán happened to pass that way
- در نمد پیچید و بر راهش نهاد ** معبر صدر جهان آنجا فتاد
- And dropped some gold on the felt (shroud). He (the jurist) put forth his hand in his haste (and fear)
- زر در اندازید بر روی نمد ** دست بیرون کرد از تعجیل خود
- Lest the purveyor of the grave-clothes should seize the gift of money and lest that perfidious rascal should hide it from him.
- تا نگیرد آن کفنخواه آن صله ** تا نهان نکند ازو آن دهدله
- The dead man raised his hand from beneath the felt (shroud), and, following his hand, his head (too) came forth from below.
- مرده از زیر نمد بر کرد دست ** سر برون آمد پی دستش ز پست
- He said to the Sadr-i Jahán, “(See) how I have received (it), O thou who didst shut the doors of generosity against me!” 3835
- گفت با صدر جهان چون بستدم ** ای ببسته بر من ابواب کرم
- He (the Sadr) replied, “(Yes), but until you died, O obstinate man, you got no bounty from me.”
- گفت لیکن تا نمردی ای عنود ** از جناب من نبردی هیچ جود