There are faces on which demons are settled like gnats, as (though they were) guardsmen.
رویها باشد که دیوان چون مگس ** بر سرش بنشسته باشند چون حرس
When you behold his (such a one's) face, they (the demons) fall upon you: either do not behold that face, (or) when you have beheld (it), do not laugh pleasantly.
چون ببینی روی او در تو فتند ** یا مبین آن رو چو دیدی خوش مخند
Concerning such a wicked, sinful face God hath said, “Verily, We will drag (him) by the forelock.”
در چنان روی خبیث عاصیه ** گفت یزدان نسفعن بالناصیه
When they (the townsman's party) had made enquiry and found his (the countryman's) house, they hurried like kinsfolk to the door.605
چون بپرسیدند و خانهش یافتند ** همچو خویشان سوی در بشتافتند
(Thereupon) the people in his house bolted the door. At this perverseness, the Khwája became mad-like,
در فرو بستند اهل خانهاش ** خواجه شد زین کژروی دیوانهوش
But indeed it was no time for asperity: when you have fallen into the pit, what is the use of being enraged?
لیک هنگام درشتی هم نبود ** چون در افتادی بچه تیزی چه سود
Five days they remained at his door: (they passed) the night in the cold, the day itself in the blaze of the sun.
بر درش ماندند ایشان پنج روز ** شب بسرما روز خود خورشیدسوز
Their remaining (there) was not from heedlessness or asininity; nay, it was from necessity and want of an ass.
نه ز غفلت بود ماندن نه خری ** بلک بود از اضطرار و بیخری
From necessity, the good are (often) bound to the vile: from sore hunger the lion will eat a putrid carcase.610
با لیمان بسته نیکان ز اضطرار ** شیر مرداری خورد از جوع زار
He (the townsman) would see him (the countryman) and salute him, saying, “I am so-and-so, this is my name.”
او همیدیدش همیکردش سلام ** که فلانم من مرا اینست نام
“Maybe,” he said; “how should I know who thou art, whether thou art a dirty fellow or an honest gentleman?”
گفت باشد من چه دانم تو کیی ** یا پلیدی یا قرین پاکیی
“This moment,” said he, “resembles the Resurrection, since a brother has come to flee from his brother.”
گفت این دم با قیامت شد شبیه ** تا برادر شد یفر من اخیه
He would explain to him (the countryman), saying, “I am he from whose table thou didst eat viands manifold.
شرح میکردش که من آنم که تو ** لوتها خوردی ز خوان من دوتو
On such and such a day I bought that merchandise for thee: every secret that goes beyond the two (who share it) is published (to all).615
آن فلان روزت خریدم آن متاع ** کل سر جاوز الاثنین شاع
The people heard the secret of our affection; (as a rule) when the gullet has received bounty, the face hath (signs of) bashfulness.”
سر مهر ما شنیدستند خلق ** شرم دارد رو چو نعمت خورد حلق
He (the countryman) would say to him, “Why dost thou talk nonsense? I know neither thee nor thy name nor thy dwelling-place.”
او همیگفتش چه گویی ترهات ** نه ترا دانم نه نام تو نه جات
On the fifth night there began such a (storm of) cloud and rain that the sky might (well) be astonished at its raining.
پنجمین شب ابر و بارانی گرفت ** کاسمان از بارشش دارد شگفت
When the knife reached the bone, the Khwája knocked at the door, crying, “Call the master!”
چون رسید آن کارد اندر استخوان ** حلقه زد خواجه که مهتر را بخوان
When (at last), in response to a hundred urgent entreaties, he came to the door, he said, “Why, what is it, my dear sir?”620
چون بصد الحاح آمد سوی در ** گفت آخر چیست ای جان پدر
He replied, “I abandon those claims (to thy gratitude), I renounce that (recompense) which I was fancying.
گفت من آن حقها بگذاشتم ** ترک کردم آنچ میپنداشتم
I have suffered five years' pain: five days my miserable soul (hath been) amidst this heat and blaze.”
پنجساله رنج دیدم پنج روز ** جان مسکینم درین گرما و سوز
One injustice from kindred and friends and family is in heaviness as three hundred thousand,
یک جفا از خویش و از یار و تبار ** در گرانی هست چون سیصد هزار
Because he (the sufferer) did not set his mind on (anticipate) his (the friend's) cruelty and injustice: his soul was accustomed to kindness and faithfulness from him.
زانک دل ننهاد بر جور و جفاش ** جانش خوگر بود با لطف و وفاش
Whatsoever is tribulation and sore grief to men, know for sure that this is in consequence of its being contrary to habit.625
هرچه بر مردم بلا و شدتست ** این یقین دان کز خلاف عادتست
He (the townsman) said (further), “O thou the sun of whose love is in decline, if thou hast shed my blood, I acquit thee.
گفت ای خورشید مهرت در زوال ** گر تو خونم ریختی کردم حلال