1Cademy - (۵) حکایت مرد حریص و ملک الموت / (5) The Tale of the Greedy Man and the Angel of Death

Learn Before

Elahi Nameh

Poem

(۵) حکایت مرد حریص و ملک الموت / (5) The Tale of the Greedy Man and the Angel of Death

Original content

حریصی در میان مست و هشیار
بسی جان کند و هم کوشید بسیار

بروز و شب زیادت بود کارش
که تا دینار شد سیصد هزارش

فزون از صد هزارش بود املاک
فزون از صد هزارش نقد در خاک

فزون از صد هزار دیگرش بود
که پیش مردمان کشورش بود

چو مال خویش از حد بیش می دید
سرای خویش و مال خویش می دید

بدل گفتا که بنشین و همه سال
بخور خوش تا ازان پس چون شود حال

چو شد این مال خرج خورد و پوشم
اگر باید دگر آنگه بکوشم

چو خوش بنشست تا زر می خورد خوش
بشادی نفس را می پرورد خوش

چو با خود کرد این اندیشه ناگاه
درآمد زود عزرائیل جان خواه

چو عزرائیل را نزدیک دید او
جهان بر چشم خود تاریک دید او

زبان بگشاد و زاری کرد آغاز
که عمری صرف کردم در تگ و تاز

کنون بنشسته ام تا بهره گیرم
روا داری که من بی بهره میرم

کجا می گشت عزرائیل ازو باز
همی جان برگرفتن کرد آغاز

بزاری مرد گفتا گر چنانست
که ناچار این زمانت قصد جانست

کنون دینار من سیصد هزارست
دهم یک صد هزارت گر بکارست

سه روزم مهل ده بر من ببخشای
وزان پس پیش گیر آنچت بود رای

کجا بشنید عزرائیل این راز
کشیدش عاقبت چون شمع در گاز

دگر ره مرد گفتا دادم اقرار
ترا دو صد هزار از نقد دینار

دو روزم مهل ده چون هست این سهل
نداد القصه عزرائیل هم مهل

مگر می داد خود سیصد هزاری
که تا مهلش دهد یک روز باری

بزاری گفت بسیارو شنید او
نبودش مهل و مقصودی ندید او

بآخر گفت می خواهم امانی
که تا یک حرف بنویسم زمانی

امانش داد چندانی که یک حرف
نوشت از خون چشم خود بشنگرف

که هان ای خلق عمر و روزگاری
که می دادم بها سیصد هزاری

که تا یک ساعتی دانم خریدن
نبودم هیچ مقصود از چخیدن

چنین عمری شما گر می توانید
نکو دارید وقدر آن بدانید

که گر از دست شد چون تیر از شست
نه بفروشند و نه هرگز دهد دست

کسی کو در چنین عمری زیان کرد
بغفلت عمر شیرین را فشان کرد

English translation

A greedy man, somewhere between drunk and sober, Struggled greatly and strove very much. Day and night, his work was ever increasing, Until his dinars reached three hundred thousand. More than a hundred thousand were his estates, More than a hundred thousand was cash in the earth. And more than another hundred thousand he had, Which was with the people of his country. When he saw his wealth exceeding all limits, And looked upon his estate and his wealth, He said to his heart, 'Sit back and all year, Eat well, to see what happens after that. When this wealth is spent on my food and clothing, If it is necessary, I will strive again then.' When he sat down happily to consume his gold joyfully, And happily nurtured his soul in gladness, When he made this thought to himself, suddenly, Azrael, the soul-seeker, swiftly entered. When he saw Azrael near, He saw the world turn dark before his eyes. He opened his mouth and began to lament, Saying, 'I spent a lifetime in running and rushing. Now I have sat down to take my share, Do you deem it right that I die without my share?' How could Azrael turn back from him? He began to take his soul. In lamentation, the man said, 'If it is such, That inevitably at this time you intend to take my soul, Now my dinars are three hundred thousand, I will give you one hundred thousand if it is of use. Give me a respite of three days, have mercy on me, And after that, proceed with whatever is your decision.' How could Azrael listen to this plea? He finally extinguished him like a candle in pincers. Once again the man said, 'I promise to give you, Two hundred thousand dinars in cash. Give me a respite of two days, since this is easy.' In short, Azrael did not give him respite either. He even offered the whole three hundred thousand, So that he might give him a respite for at least one day. He spoke much in lamentation and he heard, There was no respite for him and he saw no success. At last he said, 'I want a brief respite, So that I may write a single word for a moment.' He gave him respite just enough for one word, He wrote with the blood of his eyes like cinnabar. Saying, 'Beware, O people! A life and time, For which I was offering a price of three hundred thousand, So that I could buy it for an hour, I had no success from striving. Such a life, if you can, Hold it well and know its value. For if it is lost from your hand like an arrow from the thumb, They will not sell it, nor will it ever be obtained again. Whoever suffered a loss in such a life, Has squandered their sweet life in heedlessness.'

Updated 2026-07-03

Contributors are:

Who are from:

References