1Cademy - حکایت باز / The Tale of the Falcon

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منطق‌الطیر / The Conference of the Birds

Poem

حکایت باز / The Tale of the Falcon

Original content

باز پیش جمع آمد سرفراز
کرد از سر معالی پرده باز

سینه می کرد از سپه داری خویش
لاف می زد از کله داری خویش

گفت: من از شوق دست شهریار
چشم بربستم ز خلق روزگار

چشم از آن بگرفته ام زیر کلاه
تا رسد پایم به دست پادشاه

در ادب خود را بسی پرورده ام
همچو مرتاضان ریاضت کرده ام

تا اگر روزی بر شاهم برند
از رسوم خدمت آگاهم برند

من کجا سیمرغ را بینم به خواب؟
چون کنم بیهوده سوی او شتاب؟

زقه ای از دست شاهم بس بود
در جهان این پایگاهم بس بود

چون ندارم رهروی را پایگاه
سرفرازی می کنم بر دست شاه

من اگر شایستهٔ سلطان شوم
به که در وادی بی پایان شوم

روی آن دارم که من بر روی شاه
عمر بگذارم خوشی این جایگاه

گاه شه را انتظاری می کنم
گاه در شوقش شکاری می کنم

هدهدش گفت: ای به صورت مانده باز!
از صفت دور و به صورت مانده باز

شاه را در ملک اگر همتا بود
پادشاهی کی بر او زیبا بود؟

سلطنت را نیست چون سیمرغ کس
زآنک بی همتا به شاهی اوست و بس

شاه نبود آنک در هر کشوری
سازد او از خود ز بی مغزی سری

شاه آن باشد که همتا نبودش
جز وفا و جز مدارا نبودش

شاه دنیا گر وفاداری کند
یک زمان دیگر گرفتاری کند

هرک باشد پیش او نزدیک تر
کار او بی شک بود تاریک تر

دائما از شاه باشد بر حذر
جان او پیوسته باشد پر خطر

شاه دنیا فی المثل چون آتش است
دور باش از وی که دوری زو خوش است

زآن بود، در پیش شاهان دور باش
کای شده نزدیک شاهان! دور باش

English translation

The falcon proudly came before the assembly, He unveiled the heights of his eminence. He puffed out his chest because of his military command, And boasted of his hooded cap. He said: "Out of desire for the King's hand, I have closed my eyes to the people of the world. I have covered my eyes under the hood, So that my feet may reach the hand of the King. I have trained myself much in discipline, I have practiced asceticism like the hermits, So that if one day they bring me to the King, They will find me well-aware of the customs of service. How could I see the Simorgh in my dreams? Why should I hasten towards him in vain? A small morsel from my King's hand is enough for me, In this world, this rank is enough for me. Since I lack the capacity of a wayfarer, I take pride in resting upon the King's hand. If I become worthy of the Sultan, It is better than entering an endless valley. My intention is that, looking at the face of the King, I spend my life happily in this place. Sometimes I wait upon the King, Sometimes I hunt out of eagerness for him." The Hoopoe said to him: "O you who are stuck on the superficial form! Far from the true essence, you are captive to the surface. If a king had a peer in his kingdom, When would kingship be fitting for him? There is no one suited for kingship like the Simorgh, Because He alone is the peerless King. A true king is not one who in every country, Puffs himself up as a leader out of empty-headedness. The true King is the one who has no equal, Who is nothing but loyalty and benevolence. If a worldly king shows loyalty, At another time he will cause you hardship. Whoever is closer to him, His affairs will undoubtedly be darker. He must constantly be wary of the king, His life is perpetually in danger. The worldly king is exactly like fire: Keep your distance from him, for distance from him is best! That is why, before kings, the cry is 'Keep away!' Meaning, 'O you who have approached kings! Keep away!'"

Updated 2026-07-02

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Ganjoor

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