M6:2558 — پس وزیرش گفت ای حق را ستن / بشنو از بندهٔ کمینه یک سخن

Translation: Then his vizier said: 'O pillar of Truth, / Hear a word from this humble servant.' Meaning: In this verse, the malicious vizier approaches the king with a flattering and hypocritical tone to initiate his cunning plot against the jester with false accusations.

This verse opens a window into the world of courtly intrigue and malice, where the ugliest intentions are presented in the most beautiful words. The vizier, who had been deeply vexed by the jester's blunt exposures of the courtiers' flaws, now finds an opportune moment to unleash his venom. He addresses the king with the utmost flattery: 'O pillar of Truth' (Ay ḥaqq rā soton), meaning, 'O you who are the pillar of truth and justice.' These epithets are employed not out of respect, but out of cunning, paving the way for the poisonous words that are to follow.

The jester was the outspoken voice of the court's hidden realities; he would unreservedly expose the flaws and secrets of the viziers in the king's presence. This frankness, which at times cost jesters their lives, has here ignited the vizier's wrath. The vizier refers to himself as a 'humble servant' (banda-ye kamīna) to feign profound modesty and prevent the king from suspecting his true motives. Yet, beneath this gentle veneer lies a sharp sword, as Mowlana himself states: 'He displayed the scabbard, and concealed the sword.'

He intends to distort the truth through deception and cunning, painting the jester as a liar and trickster. He claims that the jester came from his village to Termez for an important task, but since he either failed to achieve his goal or regretted it, he is now resorting to 'making water and oil' (āb o roghan kardan, i.e., trickery) and seeks a way out (borūn-sho) through buffoonery. The vizier even suggests that the jester should be 'mercilessly squeezed' (bāyad afshordan moro rā bī-darīgh), like a pistachio or walnut, to extract the truth from him. In other words, he advises, 'Do not listen to his words and defenses, but look at his trembling body and pale face, which indicate his concealment and deceit.' This scene is a dramatic portrayal of human nature, demonstrating how individuals, to achieve personal ends, even distort truths and, cloaked in benevolence and loyalty, harm those closest to them. This is not merely a courtly tale, but a mirror reflecting human relationships that can unfold in any time or place.

Key takeaways

• Flattery and sycophancy as tools for deception and malevolent ends.
• Concealing true intentions beneath a veneer of humility and goodwill.
• Using baseless accusations for revenge and character assassination.
• The human capacity to twist truths for personal gain.
• Courtly intrigues illustrating the contrast between appearance and reality.