در کارگه کوزهگری کردم رای
در پایۀ چرخ دیدم استاد به پای
میکرد دلیر کوزه را دسته و سر
ازکلهٔ پادشاه و از دست گدای
Dashti, quatrain 39, p. 251
dar kaargah-e kuzegari kardam raay
dar paaye-ye charkh didam ostaad be paay
mikard delir kuze raa daste o sar
az kalle-ye paadshaah o az dast-e gedaay
Watchful while in a potter's shop,
I saw the master work his wheel.
Bold handle-arms and heads he made,
heads from kings, arms from beggars.
Translation & Discussion of the quatrain:
1. In the shop of a potter I closely watched ... the verb, رای کردن/raay kardan, often means to form a plan, decide, be intent on something, and in this context I think that it means to have in mind to observe closely 2. I saw the master stand at the treadle of the wheel... theword "treadle'" as the Persian پایه/paaye means "stairstep" and this treadle is likely, a raised platform, perhaps circular, with a lever mechanism attached to the column which turns the platform and arm-like vertical device on which the clay is shaped. "Wheel" refers to the entire apparatus. I have not been able to find information on Persian pottery wheels so this description is tentative. 3. He was making, intrepidly, the handle and head for the pot... The master craftsman goes boldly ahead using the clay-remains of all animate creatures who have passed this way before -- quite naturally without regard as we see in the final mesraa‘ for social distinction 4. From the head of a king and hand of a beggar