The Caliph and His Six Sons

خبر داد از کسی کان کس خبر داشت

Someone told, on the word of one who knew,

که وقتی یک خلیفه شش پسر داشت

that once a caliph had six sons.

همه همت بلند افتاده بودند

All of them were high in aspiration;

ز سر گردن کشی ننهاده بودند

none of them had laid aside his pride.

بهر علمی که باشد در زمانه

In every science there was in their time

همه بودند در هر یک یگانه

each of them was without equal.

چو هر یک ذوفنون عالمی بود

Each was a scholar of many arts;

چو هر یک در دو عالم آدمی بود

each was a true man in both worlds.

پدر بنشاندشان یک روز با هم

One day the father sat them down together:

که هر یک واقفید از علم عالم

‘Each of you knows the sciences of the world;

خلیفه زاده‌اید و پادشاهید

you are a caliph’s sons, and kings:

شما هر یک ز عالم می چه خواهید

what does each of you want from the world?

اگر صد آرزو دارید و گر یک

Whether you have a hundred wishes or one,

مرا فی الجمله برگوئید هر یک

let each of you tell me, in short;

چو از هر یک بدانم اعتقادش

once I know what each one holds to,

بسازم کار هر یک بر مرادش

I will arrange his affairs to his wish.’