Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE ORPHAN by MOSHARREF OD-DIN IBN MOSLEH OD-DIN SADI

First Line: CAST PROTECTION OVER THE HEAD OF THE ONE FATHER-DEAD
Last Line: FOR CHILDHOOD MY FATHER DEPARTED IN DEATH, FROM MY HEAD.

CAST protection over the head of the one father-dead:
Scatter his dust of affliction, and pluck out his
thorne.

Knowst thou not how very dejected his state was?
May a rootless tree be ever green?

When thou seest an orphan, head lowered in front from grief,
Give not a kiss, to the face of thy own son.

If the orphan weeps, who buys for his consolation?
And if he becomes angry, who leads him back [to quietude]?

Beware that he weep not; for the great throne of God
Keeps trembling when the orphan weeps.

Pluck out with kindness the tear from his pure eye:
Scatter with compassion the dust of affliction from his face.

If his [father'] protection departed form over his head
Do thou cherish him with thy crown-worthy at that time

I esteemed my head crown-worthy at that time
When I held my head in my father's bosom.

If a fly had sat on my body,
The heart of some would have become distressed.

If now enemies should bear me away captive.
None of my friends is a helper.

For me there is acquaintance with the sorrows of orphans,
For childhood my father departed in death, from my head.




Home: PoetryExplorer.net