āmoḳhtan-e-vazīr makr-e-bādshāh rā
How the vizier instructed the king to plot.
uu vazīre dāsht gabr-o-'ishva dah
kū bar aab az makr bar baste girah
He had a vizier, a miscreant and ogler (deceiver),
who by reason of (his exceeding) guile would tie knots on water.
guft tarsāyāñ panāh-e-jāñ kunand
diin ḳhud rā az malik pinhāñ kunand
The Christians, said he, seek to save their lives;
they hide their religion from the king.
kam-kush īshāñ rā ki kushtan suud niist
diiñ na-dārad buue mushk-o-'ūd niist
Slay them not, for slaying (them) is useless:
religion hath no smell, it is not musk and aloes-wood.
sirr-e-pinhānast andar sad ġhilāf
zāhirash bā tū chu tū bātin ḳhilāf
The secret is concealed in a hundred coverings: its outward form is
(in agreement) with thee, (but) the inward (reality) is (in) disagreement.
shaah guftash pas ba-go tadbīr chīst
chāra-e-āñn makr-o-āñ tazvīr chīst
The king said to him: Tell (me), then, what is the (best) plan?
What is the remedy against that deceit and imposture?—
tā na-mānad dar jahāñ nasrāniye
ne huvaidā dīn-o-ne pinhāniye
So that there may not remain a single Christian in the world,
neither one whose religion is manifest nor one who is concealed.
guft ai shah gosh-o-dastam rā be-bur
biinī am be-shakāf-o-lab dar hukm-e-mur
O king, said he, cut off my ears and hands,
rip my nose and lips by bitter (cruel) decree;
baa'd az aañ dar zer-e-dār aavar marā
tā ba-kHvāhad yak shafā'at gar marā
Then bring me under the gallows,
that an intercessor may plead for me.
bar munādī gaah kun iiñ kaar tū
barsar-e-rāhe ki bāshad chaar sū
Do this deed in the place for (public) proclamation,
on a highway where roads run in four directions.
aañ gaham az ḳhud barañ tā shahr duur
tā dar andāzam dar īshāñ sharr-o-shūr
Then banish me from thy presence to a distant land,
that I may cast mischief and confusion amongst them.
aamoKHtan-e-wazir makr-e-baadshah ra
How the vizier instructed the king to plot.
u wazire dasht gabr-o-'ishwa dah
ku bar aab az makr bar baste girah
He had a vizier, a miscreant and ogler (deceiver),
who by reason of (his exceeding) guile would tie knots on water.
guft tarsayan panah-e-jaan kunand
din KHud ra az malik pinhan kunand
The Christians, said he, seek to save their lives;
they hide their religion from the king.
kam-kush ishan ra ki kushtan sud nist
din na-darad bue mushk-o-'ud nist
Slay them not, for slaying (them) is useless:
religion hath no smell, it is not musk and aloes-wood.
sirr-e-pinhanast andar sad ghilaf
zahirash ba tu chu tu baatin KHilaf
The secret is concealed in a hundred coverings: its outward form is
(in agreement) with thee, (but) the inward (reality) is (in) disagreement.
shah guftash pas ba-go tadbir chist
chaara-e-ann makr-o-an tazwir chist
The king said to him: Tell (me), then, what is the (best) plan?
What is the remedy against that deceit and imposture?—
ta na-manad dar jahan nasraniye
ne huwaida din-o-ne pinhaniye
So that there may not remain a single Christian in the world,
neither one whose religion is manifest nor one who is concealed.
guft ai shah gosh-o-dastam ra be-bur
bini am be-shakaf-o-lab dar hukm-e-mur
O king, said he, cut off my ears and hands,
rip my nose and lips by bitter (cruel) decree;
ba'd az aan dar zer-e-dar aawar mara
ta ba-kHwahad yak shafa'at gar mara
Then bring me under the gallows,
that an intercessor may plead for me.
bar munadi gah kun in kar tu
barsar-e-rahe ki bashad chaar su
Do this deed in the place for (public) proclamation,
on a highway where roads run in four directions.
aan gaham az KHud baran ta shahr dur
ta dar andazam dar ishan sharr-o-shur
Then banish me from thy presence to a distant land,
that I may cast mischief and confusion amongst them.
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