Masnavi · 12th–13th century

Farhad Speaks to the Mountain

Nezami Ganjaviنظامی گنجوی

به الماس مژه یاقوت می‌سفت

With the diamond of his lashes he pierced rubies,

ز حال خویشتن با کوه می‌گفت

and told the mountain how it was with him:

که ای کوه ار چه داری سنگ خاره

‘O mountain, though you are made of granite,

جوانمردی کن و شو پاره‌پاره

be generous, and break into pieces.

ز بهر من تو لختی روی بخراش

For my sake, let your face be scratched a little;

به پیش زخم سنگینم سبک باش

before my heavy blows, be light.

وگرنه من به حق جان جانان

Or else, I swear by the life of my beloved,

که تا آن دم که باشد بر تنم جان

that as long as there is life in my body

نیاساید تنم ز آزار با تو

my body will not rest from wounding you;

کنم جان بر سر پیکار با تو

I will give my life to this fight with you.’

From: Khosrow and Shirin
Translation: Persiahaus Editors
Source: Draft translation from the Ganjoor text
Persian text: Ganjoor

A note for readers

Set to cut a road through the mountain of Bisotun, Farhad first carves images of Shirin and of Khosrow on his horse Shabdiz into the rock, then digs from morning to night, weeping as he works; here he speaks to the mountain itself. The ‘rubies’ his diamond lashes pierce are tears of blood. Farhad the ‘mountain-cutter’ became a byword in Persian poetry for the lover who gives his life to an impossible task.