The plots of Pharaoh were three-hundredfold: all (of them) became (the means to) his abasement and subjugation.
مکر آن فرعون سیصد تو بده ** جمله ذل او و قمع او شده
He brought magicians, good and bad, into his presence in order that he might invalidate the miracles of Moses,
ساحران آورده حاضر نیک و بد ** تا که جرح معجزهی موسی کند
That he might nullify the rod (of Moses) and put it to shame and remove from (men's) hearts the respect (which they had) for it.
تا عصا را باطل و رسوا کند ** اعتبارش را ز دلها بر کند
Those very plots only serve to manifest the veracity of Moses: the prestige of his rod goes up.4355
عین آن مکر آیت موسی شود ** اعتبار آن عصا بالا رود
He (Pharaoh) leads his army betimes to the neighbourhood of the Nile in order to waylay Moses and his people;
لشکر آرد او پگه تا حول نیل ** تا زند بر موسی و قومش سبیل
(But) it only serves to ensure the safety of the followers of Moses, (while) he (Pharaoh) goes under the earth and the plain (of sand).
آمنی امت موسی شود ** او به تحتالارض و هامون در رود
If he (Moses) had stayed in Egypt, he (Pharaoh) would not have marched (against him): how, (then), would the Israelites have been relieved of dread?
گر به مصر اندر بدی او نامدی ** وهم از سبطی کجا زایل شدی
He marched and caused the Israelites to be consumed (with terror); for (you must) know that safety is concealed in danger.
آمد و در سبط افکند او گداز ** که بدانک امن در خوفست راز
The hidden grace consists in this, that the Lord shows unto him (the recipient of grace) a (terrible) fire, but it is really a (gracious) light.4360
آن بود لطف خفی کو را صمد ** نار بنماید خود آن نوری بود
There is nothing mysterious in (God's) rewarding piety, (but) look at the reward bestowed on the magicians (of Pharaoh) after their sin!
نیست مخفی مزد دادن در تقی ** ساحران را اجر بین بعد از خطا
There is nothing mysterious in the favour shown (by God) while cherishing (His lovers), (but) He bestowed His favour on the magicians in the amputation (of their hands and feet).
نیست مخفی وصل اندر پرورش ** ساحران را وصل داد او در برش
There is nothing mysterious in journeying with feet that move, but look at the journey of the magicians when their feet had been cut off!
نیست مخفی سیر با پای روا ** ساحران را سیر بین در قطع پا
The knowers of God are safe for ever because they have passed through a sea of blood.
عارفان زانند دایم آمنون ** که گذر کردند از دریای خون
Safety appeared to them from the very midst of terror; consequently they are always in a state of increase (of safety).4365
امنشان از عین خوف آمد پدید ** لاجرم باشند هر دم در مزید
You have seen that safety is concealed in a (state of) fear (danger): O excellent man, observe also that fear (danger) is (lurking) in a (state of) hope.
امن دیدی گشته در خوفی خفی ** خوف بین هم در امیدی ای حفی
A certain Amír cunningly shadows Jesus: Jesus hides himself in the house.
آن امیر از مکر بر عیسی تند ** عیسی اندر خانه رو پنهان کند
He (the Amír) enters in order that he may (seize him and) wear the crown (of sovereignty): because of his likeness to Jesus he himself becomes the crown of the gibbet.
اندر آید تا شود او تاجدار ** خود ز شبه عیسی آید تاجدار
(He cries out), “Oh, do not hang me: I am not Jesus, I am the Amír, I am well-disposed to the Jews.”
هی میآویزید من عیسی نیم ** من امیرم بر جهودان خوشپیم
“Hang him on the gibbet,” (cry the Jews), “with all speed, for he is Jesus: (he is) seeking to escape from our hands by personating another.”4370
زوترش بردار آویزید کو ** عیسی است از دست ما تخلیطجو
How often does an army march (hoping) to enjoy the fruits (of victory): its equipment becomes spoil (for the enemy), and it is overthrown.
چند لشکر میرود تا بر خورد ** برگ او فی گردد و بر سر خورد
How often does a merchant go (from home) in hope of gain: he thinks it will be a feast ('íd), but he is consumed like aloeswood ('úd).
چند بازرگان رود بر بوی سود ** عید پندارد بسوزد همچو عود
How often in the world does it happen contrariwise to this: (for example) one fancies (something to be bitter as) poison when it is (really sweet as) honey.
چند در عالم بود برعکس این ** زهر پندارد بود آن انگبین
Often, (when) soldiers have made up their minds to die, the splendours (of triumph) and victory appear.
بس سپه بنهاده دل بر مرگ خویش ** روشنیها و ظفر آید به پیش
Abraha came with the elephant to dishonour the House (of Allah), that he might throw down the living (and leave them lying) as though dead,4375
ابرهه با پیل بهر ذل بیت ** آمده تا افکند حی را چو میت
And destroy the holy Ka‘ba and cause all (the inhabitants) to wander forth from that place,
تا حریم کعبه را ویران کند ** جمله را زان جای سرگردان کند