Saadi Does Not Turn from the Beloved to the Patron

Iraqi style
English

Saadi Does Not Turn from the Beloved to the Patron

Talk of love is forbidden to that empty chatterer who, after reciting ten lines of a love poem, breaks into flattery of a patron. How admirable is Saadi's high resolve and his way of speaking, for he never abandons the beloved to court a patron.
Explanation: The poem criticizes poets who begin with a love lyric only to switch to paid praise of a wealthy patron, contrasting them with Saadi's integrity.

Original · Persian

قطعه شمارهٔ ۷ - سعدی از معشوق به ممدوح نمی‌پردازد

سخن عشق حرامست بر آن بیهده گوی که چو ده بیت غزل گفت مدیح آغازد
حبذا همت سعدی و سخن گفتن او که ز معشوق به ممدوح نمی‌پردازد