har ki sāhab zauq buud az guft-e-ū
lazzate mī dīd-o-talḳhī juft-e-ū
Whoever was possessed of (spiritual) discernment was feeling a sweet savour in his words and, joined therewith, bitterness.
nukta-hā mī guft uu āmeḳhta
dar julāb-e-qand zahare reḳhta
He (the vizier) was saying fine things mixed (with foul):
he had poured some poison into the sugared julep
zāhirash mī guft dar rah-e-chust sho
vaz asar mī guft jaañ rā sust sho
The outward sense of it was saying, Be diligent in the Way,
but in effect it was saying to the soul, Be slack.
zāhir-e-nuqra gar asped ast-o-nau
dast-o-jāma mī siyah gardad azū
If the surface of silver is white and new,
(yet) the hands and dress are blackened by it.
ātish ar che surḳh-rūyast az sharar
tū za fe'l-e-ū siyah-kārī nigar
Although fire is red-faced (bright and glorious) with sparks,
look at the black behaviour (displayed) in its action.
barq agar nuure numāyad dar nazar
lek hast az ḳhāsiyat duzd-e-basar
If the lightning appears luminous to the eye, (yet)
from its distinctive property it is the robber of sight (it strikes men blind).
har ki juz āgāh-o-sāhab zauq buud
guft-e-ū dar gardan-e-ū tauq buud
(As for) any (Christian) who was not wary and possessed of discernment,
the words of him (the vizier) were (as) a collar on his neck.
muddatae shash saal dar hijrān-e-shāh
shud vazīr atbā'-e-'īsā rā panāh
During six years, in separation from the king,
the vizier became a refuge for the followers of Jesus.
dīn-o-dil rā kul bado ba-supurd ḳhalq
pesh-e-amr-o-hukm-e-ū mī murd ḳhalq
To him the people wholly surrendered their religion and their hearts:
at his command and decree they were ready to die.
har ki sahab zauq bud az guft-e-u
lazzate mi did-o-talKHi juft-e-u
Whoever was possessed of (spiritual) discernment was feeling a sweet savour in his words and, joined therewith, bitterness.
nukta-ha mi guft u aameKHta
dar julab-e-qand zahare reKHta
He (the vizier) was saying fine things mixed (with foul):
he had poured some poison into the sugared julep
zahirash mi guft dar rah-e-chust sho
waz asar mi guft jaan ra sust sho
The outward sense of it was saying, Be diligent in the Way,
but in effect it was saying to the soul, Be slack.
zahir-e-nuqra gar asped ast-o-nau
dast-o-jama mi siyah gardad azu
If the surface of silver is white and new,
(yet) the hands and dress are blackened by it.
aatish ar che surKH-ruyast az sharar
tu za fe'l-e-u siyah-kari nigar
Although fire is red-faced (bright and glorious) with sparks,
look at the black behaviour (displayed) in its action.
barq agar nure numayad dar nazar
lek hast az KHasiyat duzd-e-basar
If the lightning appears luminous to the eye, (yet)
from its distinctive property it is the robber of sight (it strikes men blind).
har ki juz aagah-o-sahab zauq bud
guft-e-u dar gardan-e-u tauq bud
(As for) any (Christian) who was not wary and possessed of discernment,
the words of him (the vizier) were (as) a collar on his neck.
muddatae shash sal dar hijran-e-shah
shud wazir atba'-e-'isa ra panah
During six years, in separation from the king,
the vizier became a refuge for the followers of Jesus.
din-o-dil ra kul bado ba-supurd KHalq
pesh-e-amr-o-hukm-e-u mi murd KHalq
To him the people wholly surrendered their religion and their hearts:
at his command and decree they were ready to die.
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