I am not a dog that I should tear off the top-knot of the dead; I am (like) Jesus: I come to make him (the dead) living.
سگ نیم تا پرچم مرده کنم ** عیسیام آیم که تا زندهش کنم
I was cleaving the battle-ranks for the purpose that I might deliver you from destruction.
زان همیکردم صفوف جنگ چاک ** تا رهانم مر شما را از هلاک
I do not cut men's throats in order that power and glory and followers may be mine,
زان نمیبرم گلوهای بشر ** تا مرا باشد کر و فر و حشر
(But) I cut some throats in order that a (whole) world (of people) may obtain deliverance from those throats,4555
زان همیبرم گلویی چند تا ** زان گلوها عالمی یابد رها
For ye in your ignorance make a habit of rushing thus, like moths, at the fire,
که شما پروانهوار از جهل خویش ** پیش آتش میکنید این حمله کیش
(While) I, (furiously) as a drunken man, drive you away with both hands (to save you) from falling into the fire.
من همیرانم شما را همچو مست ** از در افتادن در آتش با دو دست
That which ye deemed victories for yourselves—(thereby) ye were sowing the seed of your damnation.
آنک خود را فتحها پنداشتید ** تخم منحوسی خود میکاشتید
Ye were calling one another most earnestly (to fight against me), (and by doing so) ye were riding your horses towards the dragon.
یکدگر را جد جد میخواندید ** سوی اژدرها فرس میراندید
Ye were overpowering (me), whilst in the very act of overpowering ye yourselves were being overpowered by the lion (which is) Time.”4560
قهر میکردید و اندر عین قهر ** خود شما مقهور قهر شیر دهر
Showing that the rebellious sinner in the very act of overpowering is overpowered, and in the very moment of victory is made captive.
بیان آنک طاغی در عین قاهری مقهورست و در عین منصوری ماسور
The robber overpowered (murdered) the merchant and carried off the gold: he was just engaged in that (business), (when) the magistrate arrived.
دزد قهرخواجه کرد و زر کشید ** او بدان مشغول خود والی رسید
If at that time he had fled from the merchant, how should the magistrate have set the police on him?
گر ز خواجه آن زمان بگریختی ** کی برو والی حشر انگیختی
The robber's overpowering (the merchant) was (in reality) his being overpowered (and punished), because his act of violence took away his head (life).
قاهری دزد مقهوریش بود ** زانک قهر او سر او را ربود
(His) prevailing over the merchant becomes a trap for him, in order that the magistrate may arrive and take retaliation (on the murderer).
غالبی بر خواجه دام او شود ** تا رسد والی و بستاند قود
O thou that hast become mighty over the people and art steeped in warfare and victory,4565
ای که تو بر خلق چیره گشتهای ** در نبرد و غالبی آغشتهای
That One (God) hath purposely caused them to be routed, that all the while drawing thee on He may (at last) bring thee into the net.
آن به قاصد منهزم کردستشان ** تا ترا در حلقه میآرد کشان
Beware, draw rein! Do not push on in pursuit of this fugitive, lest thou have thy nostrils pierced with a nose-ring.
هین عنان در کش پی این منهزم ** در مران تا تو نگردی منخزم
When by this device He hath drawn thee into the trap, after that thou wilt see the onset (of the people) pressing in crowds (upon thee).
چون کشانیدت بدین شیوه به دام ** حمله بینی بعد از آن اندر زحام
When did the intellect (ever) rejoice in this victory, inasmuch as in this victory it saw ruin?
عقل ازین غالب شدن کی گشت شاد ** چون درین غالب شدن دید او فساد
The intellect is keen-eyed, possessed of foresight, for God hath powdered it with His own collyrium.4570
تیزچشم آمد خرد بینای پیش ** که خدایش سرمه کرد از کحل خویش
The Prophet said that the folk of (destined for) Paradise are feeble (worsted) in quarrels, because of (their noble) accomplishments—
گفت پیغامبر که هستند از فنون ** اهل جنت در خصومتها زبون
Because of the perfection of their prudence and thinking ill (of themselves), not from deficiency (of intellect) and cowardice and weakness of (religious) faith.
از کمال حزم و س الظن خویش ** نه ز نقص و بد دلی و ضعف کیش
In giving the advantage (to their enemies) they have hearkened in secret to the wisdom of (the text), Had not there been true-believing men….
در فره دادن شنیده در کمون ** حکمت لولا رجال مومنون
To keep their hands off the accursed infidels became a duty for the sake of delivering the true believers.
دستکوتاهی ز کفار لعین ** فرض شد بهر خلاص مومنین
Read the story of the covenant of Hudaybiya: (it was) He (who) restrained your hands (from them): from that (saying) perceive (what is the meaning of) the whole (story).4575
قصهی عهد حدیبیه بخوان ** کف ایدیکم تمامت زان بدان
Even in victory he (the Prophet) deemed himself subdued by the snare of Divine Majesty.
نیز اندر غالبی هم خویش را ** دید او مغلوب دام کبریا