firistadan-e-shah rasulan ba-samarqand ba-aurdan-e-zargar
Interesting Fact
English Translation: Reynold. A. Nicholson
firistādan-e-shāh rasūlāñ ba-samarqand ba-ā.urdan-e-zargar
How the king sent messengers to Samarcand to fetch the goldsmith.
shah firistād aañ taraf yak do rasūl
hāziqān-o-kāfiyān-e-bas 'udūl
The king sent thither one or two messengers,
clever men and competent and very just.
tā samarqand āmdand aañ do rasūl
az barā.e zargar-e-shañg-e-fuzūl
Those two Amírs came to Samarcand and went to
the goldsmith, bearing the good news from the king.
kai latīf ustād-e-kāmil ma.arifat
faash andar shahr-hā az tū sifat
Saying, O fine master, perfect in knowledge,
thou whose quality (of perfection in thy craft) is famous in (all) the lands,
nak fulāñ shah az barā-e-zar-garī
iḳhtiyārat kard ziirā mehtarī
Lo, such-and-such a king hath chosen thee for (thy skill in)
the goldsmith's craft, because thou art eminent.
īñ-ki iiñ ḳhil.at ba-gīr-o-zar-o-sīm
chuuñ biyā.ī ḳhaas bāshī-o-nadīm
Look now, receive this robe of honour and gold and silver;
when thou comest (to the king), thou wilt be a favourite and boon-companion.
mard māl-o-kHil'at-e-bisyār diid
ġharra shud az shahr-o-farzandāñ burīd
The man saw the much wealth and the many robes:
he was beguiled, he parted from his town and children.
andar aamad shādmāñ dar raah mard
be-ḳhabar kaañ shaah qasd-e-jānash kard
Blithely the man came into the road, unaware
that the king had formed a design against his life.
asb-e-tāzī bar nashist-o-shād tākHt
ḳhuuñ ba-hā-e-ḳhvesh rā ḳhil'at shanāḳht
He mounted an Arab horse and sped on joyously:
(what really was) the price of his blood he deemed a robe of honour.
ai shuda andar safar bā-sad razā
ḳhud ba-pā-e-ḳhvesh tā sū-ul-qazā
O (fool), who with a hundred consents thyself with thine
own foot didst enter on the journey to the fated ill!
dar ḳhayālash mulk-o-'izz-o-mehtarī
guft 'izrā.īl rū aare barī
In his fancy (were dreams of) riches, power, and lordship.
Said ‘Azrá‘íl (the Angel of Death), Go (thy way). Yes, thou wilt get (them)!
chuuñ rasīd az raah aañ mard-e-ġharīb
andar āvurdash ba-pesh-e-shah tabīb
When the stranger arrived (and turned) from the road,
the physician brought him into the presence of the king.
sū-e-shāhanshāh burdandash ba-nāz
tā ba-sozad bar-sar-e-sham'-e-trāz
Proudly and delicately they conducted him to the king of kings,
that he might burn (like a moth) on that candle of Tiráz.
shaah diid uu rā basī tā'zīm kard
maḳhzan-e-zar rā badū taslīm kard
The king beheld him, showed great regard (for him),
and entrusted to him the treasure house (full) of gold.
pas hakīmash guft kai sultān-e-mah
aañ kanīzak rā badīñ ḳhvāja ba-deh
Then the physician said to him: O mighty Sultan,
give the handmaiden to this lord,
tā kanīzak dar visālash ḳhush shavad
āb-e-vaslash daf'-e-āñ ātish shavad
In order that the handmaiden may be happy in union with him,
and that the water of union with him may put out the fire (of passion).
shah bado baḳhshīd aañ mah-rū-e-rā
juft kard aañ har-do sohbat jū-e-rā
The king bestowed on him that moon-faced one and
wedded those twain (who were) craving (each other's) company.
muddat-e-shash maah mī rāñdand kaam
tā ba-sehat aamad aañ duḳhtar tamām
During the space of six months they were satisfying their desire,
till the girl was wholly restored to health.
baad azaañ az bahr-e-ū sharbat ba-sākHt
tā ba-kHurd-o-pesh-e-duḳhtar mī gudākHat
Thereafter he prepared for him a potion, so that when
he drank it he began to dwindle away before her.
chuuñ ze rañjūrī jamāl-e-ū na-māñd
jān-e-duḳhtar dar vabāl-e-ū na-māñd
When because of sickness his beauty remained not,
the soul of the girl remained not in his pestilence (deadly toils).
chūñki zisht-o-nā-kHush-o-rukH zard shud
andak andak dar dil-e-ū sard shud
Since he became ugly and ill-favoured and sallow-cheeked,
little by little he became cold (irksome and unpleasing) in her heart.
'ishq-hā.e kaz pa.e rañge buvad
'ishq na-buvad 'āqibat nañge buvad
Those loves which are for the sake of a colour
(outward beauty) are not love: in the end they are a disgrace.
kaash kaañ ham nañg buude yak-sarī
tā na-rafte bar ve aañ bad-dāvarī
Would that he too had been disgrace (deformity) altogether,
so that that evil judgement might not have come to pass upon him!
ḳhuuñ davīd az chashm-e-ham-chūñ jū-e-ū
dushman-e-jān-e-vai aamad rū-e-ū
Blood ran from his eye (that flowed with tears) like a river;
his (handsome) face became the enemy of his life.
dushan-e-tāūs aamad parr-e-ū
ai basī shah rā ba-kushta farr-e-ū
The peacock's plumage is its enemy:
O many the king who hath been slain by his magnificence!
guft man aañ āhūvam kaz nāf-e-man
reḳht aañ sayyād ḳhūn-e-sāf-e-man
He said, I am the muskdeer on account of
whose gland this hunter shed my pure (innocent) blood.
ai man aañ rubāh-e-sahrā kaz kamīñ
sar burīdandash barā-e-postīñ
Oh, I am the fox of the field whose head they (the hunters springing forth)
from the covert cut off for the sake of the fur.
ai man aañ piile ki zaḳhm-e-pīl-bāñ
reḳht ḳhūnam az barā-e-ustukHvāñ
Oh, I am the elephant whose blood was shed by
the blow of the mahout for the sake of the bone (ivory).
āñ-ki gashtastam pai-e-mādūn-e-man
mī na-dānad ki na-kHspad ḳhūn-e-man
He who hath slain me for that which is other than I,
does not he know that my blood sleepeth not (will not rest unavenged)?
bar manast imroz-o-fardā bar vaiast
ḳhūn-e-chūñ man kas chunīñ zaae' ke ast
To-day it lies on me and to-morrow it lies on him:
when does the blood of one such as I am go to waste like this?
garche dīvār afkanad sāyā-darāz
baaz gardad sū-e-ū aañ sāyā-bāz
Although the wall casts a long shadow,
(yet at last) the shadow turns back again towards it.
īñ-jahāñ kohast-o-fe'l-e-mā-nidā
sū-e-mā aayad nidā-hā rā sadā
This world is the mountain, and our action the shout:
the echo of the shouts comes (back) to us.
iiñ ba-guft-o-raft dar dam zer-e-ḳhāk
aañ kanīzak shud za-'ishq-o-ranj paak
He said this and at the (same) moment went under the earth
(gave up the ghost). The handmaiden was purged of love and pain,
zāñ-ki 'ishq-e-murdgāñ pāyañda niist
zāñ-ki murda sū-e-mā āyañda niist
Because love of the dead is not enduring,
because the dead one is never coming (back) to us;
'ishq zinda dar ravāñ-o-dar basar
har-dame bāshad ze-ġhuncha tāza-tar
(But) love of the living is every moment
fresher than a bud in the spirit and in the sight.
'ishq aañ zinda kazīñ kū baaqī ast
kaz sharāb-e-jāñ fazāyat saaqī ast
Choose the love of that Living One who is everlasting,
who gives thee to drink of the wine that increases life.
'ishq aañ ba-guzīñ ki jumla ambiyā
yāftand az 'ishq-e-ū kār-o-kiyā
Choose the love of Him from whose love
all the prophets gained power and glory.
tū ma-go mā rā bar aañ shah baar niist
bā-karīmāñ kār-hā dushvār niist
Do not say, We have no admission to that King.
Dealings with the generous are not difficult.
firistadan-e-shah rasulan ba-samarqand ba-aurdan-e-zargar
How the king sent messengers to Samarcand to fetch the goldsmith.
shah firistad aan taraf yak do rasul
haziqan-o-kafiyan-e-bas 'udul
The king sent thither one or two messengers,
clever men and competent and very just.
ta samarqand aamdand aan do rasul
az barae zargar-e-shang-e-fuzul
Those two Amírs came to Samarcand and went to
the goldsmith, bearing the good news from the king.
kai latif ustad-e-kaamil marifat
fash andar shahr-ha az tu sifat
Saying, O fine master, perfect in knowledge,
thou whose quality (of perfection in thy craft) is famous in (all) the lands,
nak fulan shah az bara-e-zar-gari
iKHtiyarat kard zira mehtari
Lo, such-and-such a king hath chosen thee for (thy skill in)
the goldsmith's craft, because thou art eminent.
in-ki in KHilat ba-gir-o-zar-o-sim
chun biyai KHas bashi-o-nadim
Look now, receive this robe of honour and gold and silver;
when thou comest (to the king), thou wilt be a favourite and boon-companion.
mard mal-o-kHil'at-e-bisyar did
gharra shud az shahr-o-farzandan burid
The man saw the much wealth and the many robes:
he was beguiled, he parted from his town and children.
andar aamad shadman dar rah mard
be-KHabar kan shah qasd-e-jaanash kard
Blithely the man came into the road, unaware
that the king had formed a design against his life.
asb-e-tazi bar nashist-o-shad takHt
KHun ba-ha-e-KHwesh ra KHil'at shanaKHt
He mounted an Arab horse and sped on joyously:
(what really was) the price of his blood he deemed a robe of honour.
ai shuda andar safar ba-sad raza
KHud ba-pa-e-KHwesh ta su-ul-qaza
O (fool), who with a hundred consents thyself with thine
own foot didst enter on the journey to the fated ill!
dar KHayalash mulk-o-'izz-o-mehtari
guft 'izrail ru aare bari
In his fancy (were dreams of) riches, power, and lordship.
Said ‘Azrá‘íl (the Angel of Death), Go (thy way). Yes, thou wilt get (them)!
chun rasid az rah aan mard-e-gharib
andar aawurdash ba-pesh-e-shah tabib
When the stranger arrived (and turned) from the road,
the physician brought him into the presence of the king.
su-e-shahanshah burdandash ba-naz
ta ba-sozad bar-sar-e-sham'-e-traaz
Proudly and delicately they conducted him to the king of kings,
that he might burn (like a moth) on that candle of Tiráz.
shah did u ra basi ta'zim kard
maKHzan-e-zar ra badu taslim kard
The king beheld him, showed great regard (for him),
and entrusted to him the treasure house (full) of gold.
pas hakimash guft kai sultan-e-mah
aan kanizak ra badin KHwaja ba-deh
Then the physician said to him: O mighty Sultan,
give the handmaiden to this lord,
ta kanizak dar visalash KHush shawad
aab-e-waslash daf'-e-an aatish shawad
In order that the handmaiden may be happy in union with him,
and that the water of union with him may put out the fire (of passion).
shah bado baKHshid aan mah-ru-e-ra
juft kard aan har-do sohbat ju-e-ra
The king bestowed on him that moon-faced one and
wedded those twain (who were) craving (each other's) company.
muddat-e-shash mah mi randand kaam
ta ba-sehat aamad aan duKHtar tamam
During the space of six months they were satisfying their desire,
till the girl was wholly restored to health.
baad azan az bahr-e-u sharbat ba-sakHt
ta ba-kHurd-o-pesh-e-duKHtar mi gudakHat
Thereafter he prepared for him a potion, so that when
he drank it he began to dwindle away before her.
chun ze ranjuri jamal-e-u na-mand
jaan-e-duKHtar dar wabaal-e-u na-mand
When because of sickness his beauty remained not,
the soul of the girl remained not in his pestilence (deadly toils).
chunki zisht-o-na-kHush-o-rukH zard shud
andak andak dar dil-e-u sard shud
Since he became ugly and ill-favoured and sallow-cheeked,
little by little he became cold (irksome and unpleasing) in her heart.
'ishq-hae kaz pae range buwad
'ishq na-buwad 'aqibat nange buwad
Those loves which are for the sake of a colour
(outward beauty) are not love: in the end they are a disgrace.
kash kan hum nang bude yak-sari
ta na-rafte bar we aan bad-dawari
Would that he too had been disgrace (deformity) altogether,
so that that evil judgement might not have come to pass upon him!
KHun dawid az chashm-e-ham-chun ju-e-u
dushman-e-jaan-e-wai aamad ru-e-u
Blood ran from his eye (that flowed with tears) like a river;
his (handsome) face became the enemy of his life.
dushan-e-taus aamad parr-e-u
ai basi shah ra ba-kushta farr-e-u
The peacock's plumage is its enemy:
O many the king who hath been slain by his magnificence!
guft man aan aahuwam kaz naf-e-man
reKHt aan sayyaad KHun-e-saf-e-man
He said, I am the muskdeer on account of
whose gland this hunter shed my pure (innocent) blood.
ai man aan rubah-e-sahra kaz kamin
sar buridandash bara-e-postin
Oh, I am the fox of the field whose head they (the hunters springing forth)
from the covert cut off for the sake of the fur.
ai man aan pile ki zaKHm-e-pil-ban
reKHt KHunam az bara-e-ustukHwan
Oh, I am the elephant whose blood was shed by
the blow of the mahout for the sake of the bone (ivory).
aan-ki gashtastam pai-e-madun-e-man
mi na-danad ki na-kHspad KHun-e-man
He who hath slain me for that which is other than I,
does not he know that my blood sleepeth not (will not rest unavenged)?
bar manast imroz-o-farda bar waiast
KHun-e-chun man kas chunin zae' ke ast
To-day it lies on me and to-morrow it lies on him:
when does the blood of one such as I am go to waste like this?
garche diwar afkanad saya-daraaz
baz gardad su-e-u aan saya-baz
Although the wall casts a long shadow,
(yet at last) the shadow turns back again towards it.
in-jahan kohast-o-fe'l-e-ma-nida
su-e-ma aayad nida-ha ra sada
This world is the mountain, and our action the shout:
the echo of the shouts comes (back) to us.
in ba-guft-o-raft dar dam zer-e-KHak
aan kanizak shud za-'ishq-o-ranj pak
He said this and at the (same) moment went under the earth
(gave up the ghost). The handmaiden was purged of love and pain,
zan-ki 'ishq-e-murdgan payanda nist
zan-ki murda su-e-ma aayanda nist
Because love of the dead is not enduring,
because the dead one is never coming (back) to us;
'ishq zinda dar rawan-o-dar basar
har-dame bashad ze-ghuncha taza-tar
(But) love of the living is every moment
fresher than a bud in the spirit and in the sight.
'ishq aan zinda kazin ku baqi ast
kaz sharab-e-jaan fazayat saqi ast
Choose the love of that Living One who is everlasting,
who gives thee to drink of the wine that increases life.
'ishq aan ba-guzin ki jumla ambiya
yaftand az 'ishq-e-u kar-o-kiya
Choose the love of Him from whose love
all the prophets gained power and glory.
tu ma-go ma ra bar aan shah bar nist
ba-kariman kar-ha dushwar nist
Do not say, We have no admission to that King.
Dealings with the generous are not difficult.
Additional information available
Click on the INTERESTING button to view additional information associated with this sher.
About this sher
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi volutpat porttitor tortor, varius dignissim.
rare Unpublished content
This ghazal contains ashaar not published in the public domain. These are marked by a red line on the left.
