حکایت شمارهٔ 8

Poet: Saadi

English translation: Rehatsek
یکی را از بزرگان به محفلی‌اندر همی‌ستودند و در اوصافِ جمیلش مبالغه می‌کردند.
سر بر آورد و گفت: من آنم که من دانم.
کَفَیْتَ اَذَیً یا مَنْ یَعُدُّ مَحاسِنی
عَلانِیَتی هَذٰاٰ وَلَمْ تَدْرِ ما بَطَنْ
شخصم به چشمِ عالمیان خوب‌منظر است
وز خُبْثِ باطنم سرِ خجلت فتاده پیش
طاووس را به نقش و نگاری که هست، خلق
تحسین کنند و او خجل از پای زشتِ خویش

A great man was praised in an assembly and, his good qualities being extolled, he raised his head and said: ‘I am such as I know myself to be.’

O thou who reckonest my virtues, refrainest from giving me pain, These are my open, and thou knowest not my hidden, qualities.

My person is, to the eyes of the world, of good aspect But my internal wickedness makes me droop my head with shame. The peacock is for his beauteous colours by the people Praised whilst he is ashamed of his ugly feet.

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Sources

Persian text source: Ganjoor

Audio source: Ganjoor