We Bore the Toil

رنج ما بردیم و گنج ارباب دولت برده‌اند

We bore the toil, and the men of fortune carried off the treasure;

خار ما خوردیم و ایشان گل به دست آورده‌اند

we swallowed the thorns, and they came away with roses in their hands.

گر حرامی در رسد با ما چه خواهد کرد از آنک

If a highwayman comes upon us, what can he do to us,

رخت ما پیش از نزول ما به منزل برده‌اند

since our goods were carried to the lodging before we arrived?

می‌پرستان محبت را ز غم اندیشه نیست

The wine-worshippers of love have no fear of sorrow,

از برای آنکه آب زندگانی خورده‌اند

because they have drunk the water of life.

هر که در عشق پری‌رویان نیامد در شمار

Whoever was not counted among the lovers of the fairy-faced

عارفانش از حساب عاقلان نشمرده‌اند

the knowers of God have never counted among the wise.

با وجود آنکه بد گفتند و نیک انگاشتیم

Though they spoke ill of us, we thought well of them;

ما نیازردیم و بدگویان ز ما آزرده‌اند

we did them no harm, and still the slanderers are hurt by us.

گل‌عذاران بین که کل پرده بر ما می‌درند

Look at the rose-cheeked: they tear our veil to shreds,

ما برون افتاده ویشان همچنان در پرده‌اند

and we are thrown out in the open while they stay behind the veil.

بادپیمایان که آگه نیستند از سوز عشق

Those who measure the wind, who know nothing of love’s burning,

زان نمی‌سوزند از آه گرم ما کافسرده‌اند

do not catch fire from our hot sighs, for they are cold and dead.

زنده‌دل قومی که پیش تیغ عشقت شمع‌وار

Living-hearted are those who, like candles before the sword of your love,

ز آتش دل سر فدا کردند و پای افشرده‌اند

gave their heads to the fire of the heart and stood their ground.

چون به بدنامی برآمد نام خواجو در جهان

Since Khwaju’s name has gone out through the world in ill repute,

نیک‌نام آن‌ها که ترک نیک‌نامی کرده‌اند

the ones with a good name are those who have given up good name.