M6:2540 — گفت من در ده شنیدم آنک شاه / زد منادی بر سر هر شاه‌راه

Translation: He said: "I heard in the village that the King Proclaimed an announcement on every highway." Meaning: The jester informs the king that he heard about a royal proclamation, publicly announced throughout the land.

Mowlana, with his characteristic subtlety, advances the narrative. At this moment, not only the king but the entire court, and even the people outside the palace, are in a state of anxious eagerness, wondering what news this distraught and hasty jester has brought. Mowlana masterfully builds suspense and curiosity, ensuring that the listener will pay close attention to discover the secret and what has transpired. The jester, in response, recounts: "I heard in the village that the King has issued a proclamation, announced on every highway, stating that he seeks someone who can ride to Samarkand in three days, promising vast treasures as a reward." The crucial subtlety here is that the jester has not rushed to the king's presence to volunteer for this mission. Far from it! He came to declare: "I do not possess such ability, and no such expectation should be held of me." Therefore, his purpose in relaying this news was not to accept responsibility, but rather to confess his inability and request exemption. This verse reveals the jester merely as a messenger; his true intention behind this haste and commotion is to withdraw from this perilous assignment, not to embrace it. It is worth noting that this particular beyt is absent from some versions of the Masnavi, though present in authoritative ones, completing the narrative.

Key takeaways

• Mowlana builds suspense, drawing the audience into the narrative.
• The jester merely relays the king's proclamation, he does not volunteer for the task.
• The jester's true intention in his haste is to declare his inability and seek exemption.
• Mowlana clarifies the jester's "haste" and "news-bearing" as an act of renouncing responsibility.
• This particular verse, describing the king's proclamation, is absent in some versions of the Masnavi.