Poem

دفتر پنجم - بخش ۱۶۹ - خنده گرفتن آن کنیزک را از ضعف شهوت خلیفه و قوت شهوت آن امیر و فهم کردن خلیفه از خندهٔ کنیزک / Book Five - Section 169 - How the handmaiden was seized with laughter at the weakness of the Caliph's lust and the strength of the Emir's lust, and how the Caliph understood her laughter

Original content

زن بدید آن سستی او از شگفت
آمد اندر قهقهه خنده ش گرفت

یادش آمد مردی آن پهلوان
که بکشت او شیر و اندامش چنان

غالب آمد خنده زن شد دراز
جهد می کرد و نمی شد لب فراز

سخت می خندید هم چون بنگیان
غالب آمد خنده بر سود و زیان

هرچه اندیشید خنده می فزود
هم چو بند سیل ناگاهان گشود

گریه و خنده غم و شادی دل
هر یکی را معدنی دان مستقل

هر یکی را مخزنی مفتاح آن
ای برادر در کف فتاح دان

هیچ ساکن می نشد آن خنده زو
پس خلیفه طیره گشت و تندخو

زود شمشیر از غلافش بر کشید
گفت سر خنده واگو ای پلید

در دلم زین خنده ظنی اوفتاد
راستی گو عشوه نتوانیم داد

ور خلاف راستی بفریبیم
یا بهانه چرب آری تو به دم

من بدانم در دل من روشنیست
بایدت گفتن هر آنچ گفتنیست

در دل شاهان تو ماهی دان سطبر
گرچه گه گه شد ز غفلت زیر ابر

یک چراغی هست در دل وقت گشت
وقت خشم و حرص آید زیر طشت

آن فراست این زمان یار منست
گر نگویی آنچ حق گفتنست

من بدین شمشیر برم گردنت
سود نبود خود بهانه کردنت

ور بگویی راست آزادت کنم
حق یزدان نشکنم شادت کنم

هفت مصحف آن زمان برهم نهاد
خورد سوگند و چنین تقریر داد

English translation

The woman saw his weakness in wonder, She fell into a loud guffaw and was seized by laughter. She remembered the virility of that champion, Who had slain a lion, and whose limbs were so powerful. The laughter of the woman triumphed and grew long; She made an effort, but her lips would not close. She was laughing hard, like hashish-smokers, Laughter prevailed over [all thoughts of] profit and loss. Whatever she thought of only increased her laughter, Like a dam of a flood that was suddenly opened. Grief and laughter, sorrow and joy of the heart, Deem each of these to have an independent mine. Each has a storehouse, and the key to it, O brother, know it to be in the hand of the Opener. No quiet came to her from that laughter, So the Caliph became exasperated and quick-tempered. Quickly he drew the sword from its sheath, Saying, 'Reveal the secret of this laughter, O vile one!' From this laughter, a suspicion has fallen into my heart; Tell the truth, for we cannot be deceived by coquetry. If you deceive me with what is contrary to the truth, Or bring a smooth excuse with your breath, I will know it, for there is a light in my heart; You must tell whatever is to be told. In the hearts of kings, consider there is a huge fish, Even though at times, through heedlessness, it goes under the cloud. There is a lamp in the heart at the time of inspection, Which, at the time of anger and greed, goes under a tub. That clairvoyance is my companion now; If you do not say that which is right to say, With this sword I will sever your neck, And your making excuses will be of no benefit to you. But if you tell the truth, I will set you free, I will not break the covenant of God, and I will make you glad.' At that moment, he piled seven copies of the Qur'an one upon another, Swore an oath, and made such a declaration.

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Updated 2026-06-13

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