Since there is no river-marge, close thy lips, O waterskin: this Sea of candy hath (ever) been without marge or shore.
چون لب جو نیست مشکا لب ببند ** بی لب و ساحل بدست این بحر قند
How Pharaoh sent (messengers) to the cities in search of the magicians.
فرستادن فرعون به مداین در طلب ساحران
When Moses had returned (home) and he (Pharaoh) remained (with his own people), he called his advisers and counsellors to his presence.
چونک موسی بازگشت و او بماند ** اهل رای و مشورت را پیش خواند
They deemed it right that the King and Ruler of Egypt should assemble them (the magicians) from all parts of Egypt.
آنچنان دیدند کز اطراف مصر ** جمع آردشان شه و صراف مصر
Thereupon he sent many men in every direction to collect the sorcerers.
او بسی مردم فرستاد آن زمان ** هر نواحی بهر جمع جادوان
In whatsoever region there was a renowned magician, he set flying towards him ten active couriers.1160
هر طرف که ساحری بد نامدار ** کرد پران سوی او ده پیک کار
There were two youths, famous magicians: their magic penetrated into the heart of the moon.
دو جوان بودند ساحر مشتهر ** سحر ایشان در دل مه مستمر
They milked the moon publicly and openly; in their journeys they went mounted on a wine-jar.
شیر دوشیده ز مه فاش آشکار ** در سفرها رفته بر خمی سوار
They caused the moonshine to appear like a piece of linen: they measured and sold it speedily,
شکل کرباسی نموده ماهتاب ** آن بپیموده فروشیده شتاب
And took the silver away: the purchaser, on becoming aware (of the fraud), would smite his hand upon his cheeks in grief.
سیم برده مشتری آگه شده ** دست از حسرت به رخها بر زده
They were the inventors of a hundred thousand such (tricks) in sorcery, and were not (following others) like the rhyme-letter.1165
صد هزاران همچنین در جادوی ** بوده منشی و نبوده چون روی
When the King's message reached them, (to this effect): “The king is now desiring help from you,
چون بدیشان آمد آن پیغام شاه ** کز شما شاهست اکنون چاره‌خواه
Because two dervishes have come and marched in force against the King and his palace.
از پی آنک دو درویش آمدند ** بر شه و بر قصر او موکب زدند
They have naught with them except one rod, which becomes a dragon at his (Moses') command.
نیست با ایشان بغیر یک عصا ** که همی‌گردد به امرش اژدها
The King and the whole army are helpless: all have been brought to lamentation by these two persons.
شاه و لشکر جمله بیچاره شدند ** زین دو کس جمله به افغان آمدند
A remedy must be sought in magic, that maybe thou wilt save (their) lives from these two enchanters—”1170
چاره‌ای می‌باید اندر ساحری ** تا بود که زین دو ساحر جان بری
When he (the messenger) gave the message to those two magicians, a (great) fear and love descended on the hearts of them both.
آن دو ساحر را چو این پیغام داد ** ترس و مهری در دل هر دو فتاد
When the vein of homogeneity began to throb, they laid their heads upon their knees in astonishment.
عرق جنسیت چو جنبیدن گرفت ** سر به زانو بر نهادند از شگفت
Inasmuch as the knee is the Súfí's school, the two knees are sorcerers for solving a difficulty.
چون دبیرستان صوفی زانوست ** حل مشکل را دو زانو جادوست
How those two magicians summoned their father from the grave and questioned their father's spirit concerning the real nature of Moses, on whom be peace.
خواندن آن دو ساحر پدر را از گور و پرسیدن از روان پدر حقیقت موسی علیه السلام
Afterwards they said, “Come, O mother, where is our father's grave? Do thou show us the way.”
بعد از آن گفتند ای مادر بیا ** گور بابا کو تو ما را ره نما
She took them and showed the way to his grave: then they kept a three days' fast for the sake of the King.1175
بردشان بر گور او بنمود راه ** پس سه‌روزه داشتند از بهر شاه
After that they said, “O father, the King in consternation hath sent us a message
بعد از آن گفتند ای بابا به ما ** شاه پیغامی فرستاد از وجا
(To say) that two men have brought him to sore straits and have destroyed his prestige with the army.
که دو مرد او را به تنگ آورده‌اند ** آب رویش پیش لشکر برده‌اند
There is not with them any weapons or soldiers; nothing but a rod, and in the rod is a calamity and bane.
نیست با ایشان سلاح و لشکری ** جز عصا و در عصا شور و شری
Thou art gone into the world of the righteous, though to outward seeming thou liest in a tomb.
تو جهان راستان در رفته‌ای ** گرچه در صورت به خاکی خفته‌ای
If that is magic, inform us; and if it be divine, O spirit of our father,1180
آن اگر سحرست ما را ده خبر ** ور خدایی باشد ای جان پدر
(In that case) also inform us, so that we may bow down (before them) and bring ourselves in touch with an elixir.
هم خبر ده تا که ما سجده کنیم ** خویشتن بر کیمیایی بر زنیم
We are despairing, and a hope has come; we are banished, and Mercy has drawn us (towards favour).”
ناامیدانیم و اومیدی رسید ** راندگانیم و کرم ما را کشید
How the dead magician answered his sons.
جواب گفتن ساحر مرده با فرزندان خود
He said to them in (their) dream, "O my sons, it is not possible (to speak) openly: do not utter this (request)."
گفتشان در خواب کای اولاد من ** نیست ممکن ظاهر این را دم زدن
It is not permitted to me to speak openly and freely, yet the mystery is not far from mine eye.
فاش و مطلق گفتنم دستور نیست ** لیک راز از پیش چشمم دور نیست
But I will show unto you a sign, that this hidden thing may be made manifest to you.1185
لیک بنمایم نشانی با شما ** تا شود پیدا شما را این خفا
O light of mine eyes, when ye go thither, become acquainted with the place where he sleeps,
نور چشمانم چو آنجا گه روید ** از مقام خفتنش آگه شوید
And at the time when that Sage is asleep, make for the rod, abandon fear.
آن زمان که خفته باشد آن حکیم ** آن عصا را قصد کن بگذار بیم
If thou shalt steal it and art able (to do so), he is a magician; the means of dealing with a magician is present with thee;
گر بدزدی و توانی ساحرست ** چاره‌ی ساحر بر تو حاضرست
But if thou canst not (steal it), beware and beware! That (man) is of God: he is the messenger of the Glorious (God) and is (divinely) guided.
ور نتانی هان و هان آن ایزدیست ** او رسول ذوالجلال و مهتدیست
Though Pharaoh occupy the world, east and west, he will fall headlong: God and then war!1190
گر جهان فرعون گیرد شرق و غرب ** سرنگون آید خدا آنگاه حرب
I give (thee) this true sign, O soul of thy father: inscribe it (in thy heart): God best knoweth the right course.
این نشان راست دادم جان باب ** بر نویس الله اعلم بالصواب
O soul of thy father, when a magician sleeps, there is none to direct his magic and craft.
جان بابا چون بخسپد ساحری ** سحر و مکرش را نباشد رهبری
When the shepherd has gone to sleep, the wolf becomes unafraid: when he sleeps, his exertion ceases;
چونک چوپان خفت گرگ آمن شود ** چونک خفت آن جهد او ساکن شود
But the animal whose shepherd is God—how hath the wolf hope or way (of getting) there?
لیک حیوانی که چوپانش خداست ** گرگ را آنجا امید و ره کجاست
The sorcery which God practises is real and true: ’tis wrong to call that real thing sorcery.1195
جادوی که حق کند حقست و راست ** جادوی خواندن مر آن حق را خطاست
O soul of thy father, this is the decisive sign: even if he (a prophet) die, God exalteth him.”
جان بابا این نشان قاطعست ** گر بمیرد نیز حقش رافعست
Comparison of the sublime Qur’án to the rod of Moses, and the death of Mustafá (Mohammed), on whom be peace, to the sleep of Moses, and those who seek to alter the Qur’án to the two young magicians who attempted to carry off the rod of Moses when they found him asleep.
تشبیه کردن قرآن مجید را به عصای موسی و وفات مصطفی را علیه السلام نمودن بخواب موسی و قاصدان تغییر قرآن را با آن دو ساحر بچه کی قصد بردن عصا کردند چو موسی را خفته یافتند
The lovingkindnesses of God made a promise to Mustafá (Mohammed), saying, “If thou shalt die, (yet) this Lesson (the Qur’án) shall not die.
مصطفی را وعده کرد الطاف حق ** گر بمیری تو نمیرد این سبق
I am exalting thy Book and Miracle, I am defending the Qur’án from those who would make it more or less.
من کتاب و معجزه‌ت را رافعم ** بیش و کم‌کن را ز قرآن مانعم
I am exalting thee in both worlds, I am driving away the scoffers from thy Tidings.
من ترا اندر دو عالم حافظم ** طاعنان را از حدیثت رافضم
None shall be able to make additions or omissions therein. Do not thou seek another protector better than Me.1200
کس نتاند بیش و کم کردن درو ** تو به از من حافظی دیگر مجو
Day by day I will increase thy splendour, I will strike thy name on gold and on silver.
رونقت را روز روز افزون کنم ** نام تو بر زر و بر نقره زنم
For thy sake I will prepare pulpit and prayer-niche: in (My) love (for thee) thy vengeance hath become My vengeance.
منبر و محراب سازم بهر تو ** در محبت قهر من شد قهر تو
They (thy followers), from fear, are uttering thy name covertly and hiding when they perform their prayers;
نام تو از ترس پنهان می‌گوند ** چون نماز آرند پنهان می‌شوند
From terror and dread of the accursed infidels thy Religion is being hidden underground;
از هراس وترس کفار لعین ** دینت پنهان می‌شود زیر زمین
(But) I will fill the world, from end to end, with minarets; I will make blind the eyes of the recalcitrant.1205
من مناره پر کنم آفاق را ** کور گردانم دو چشم عاق را